I'm not sure "express permission" indicates that you are aware of the full extent of that permission, merely that you were explicitly asked for it and you agreed to it.

To answer the parent, I wasn't trying to say everyone who knows what Google does with their data would not actually consent. There are people who argue that "privacy is over" and that it's entirely okay for Google to know everything about them. Most Googlers fall into that category, along with a large number of extremely liberal tech people. I'd say most people on HN understand at least in large part how Google operates.

But I'd argue the majority of society does not understand the extent to which Google collects and uses their information, nor grasps how that may affect their lives in the future.

"Most Googlers fall into that category"?

Hmm, not sure - Trekkie made some good points regarding express permission. Perhaps it's just a bit of a loaded word, and if i care to use it without being dismissive, i must be careful.. well, not to be dismissive haha.

Appreciate your reply.