A bigger problem, IMO, is that companies are allowed to hold and exploit this data in the first place, with no obligations to act in their customer's interests. Google and Apple arguably govern our lives just as much as the actual government, but with fewer mechanisms for representation, transparency, or accountability.

But, who do you think sanctions this stuff in the first place? I think it's an insane expectation to think that government would sanction itself, when it is also requesting and enabling the ability to spy on citizens!

I think you've read the government's self promotional material, and believe it - that it's trying to do the best for its citizens, keep people safe, etc as opposed to seeing it for what it is, which is a mafia exploration racket that keeps it's major beneficiaries out of public view.