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Except you voluntarily bought the phone.

The idea that interaction implies blanket consent is silly.

Im not sure they tell you all the apps that are preinstalled per carrier before you buy a phone. Ive never seen a list. You're not wrong though.

Well websites definitely don't list the trackers anywhere at all, let alone before you reach them.

Im also not paying to visit the website.

Imagine truth in advertising, if the phone/laptop said "price reduced $17 due to included crapware!"

Probably still wouldn't dissuade most buyers, unfortunately.

If I had to guess without any real numbers I'd say that spyware is a) not reducing the cost of the device anyway (no reason to cut price), b) real profits per device are closer to cents than dollars.

I imagine advertising "Hey, User, remember that amazing Phone Model 1 you could buy for 600$? Now you can buy it with included spying software for your convenience, for the same amazing 600$ and we will earn 20 cents more from each deal! How cool is that, heh?! You want it too, right?!" :)

I don't see how paying for the site would change the situation at all. I still don't consent to tracking in either case and they will still track me in either case.

Like paying to go to a movie theater doesn't mean you can choose to skip the ads before the show.

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