[n3150n]

Although I understand your point, Shoshanna Zuboff would say otherwise. We are the resource; not the product, neither the consumer.

According to her, "their" product used to be information. Then it became prediction. And now it's behavior modification, which they achieve by constantly mining us (the data we provide them).

At least IMHO, this is a more accurate depiction of the current state of affairs. Although in the end, it may be quite a similar metaphor, either way.

[surge]

This is a good addendum to my post, it expands upon it. I don't even take it as a correction, and I learned a bit. Thanks for this.

I don't know who Shoshanna Zuboff is (I'll 'kagi' them), but I agree with the points made. It's been an evolving strategy of how to exploit users as a resource for financial gain or at least cover the costs of the free tier service.