it just makes it more difficult to get
Yes, but that's the thing. In the Stasi days it was a significant effort to acquire this info. The normal person didn't have a hope unless they put in very serious work and knowledge, and then they had to target a specific person. The data was there, but safe because it was too difficult to acquire. Nowadays, it's a button click away and, hence, becomes a problem through technology making it easy for anyone at all to snoop and stalk.
it is based on what you do and say, so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it
You mean I shouldn't visit certain topics in case someone sees me do it? Are you serious?
Further, one issue I was pointing out was
interpretation of the data. People often jump to an erroneous conclusion when looking at data - indeed, it is a recognised problem in science with actual trained scientists.
Further still, the whole point is that it is not based on what I say. That is, what I say may be interpreted in different ways by people who have pre-judged me based on background data. Gosh, even without that, we often seen comments which have missed the thrust of the post they're commenting to.
It's not as if someone is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to divulge personal information.
How do I prevent it being used, then? Are you going to indulge in victim blaming and suggest that I shouldn't visit EEVBlog if I want to retain my privacy? As far as I'm aware, that's the only way to prevent this data being presented.
What about those users who don't know their data is being dished up? Are they also to blame for not taking steps, whatever they may be, to hide it?
there are tools that are available to Admin to deal with that
Indeed, and when I sign up to a forum I assume the admin has far more data available to him that is presented here. But that's the admin, not every user who bothers to visit the site. Should everyone know my email address, my login password, my IP address? Of course not! There is a difference between the admin and some random user. Or should be.
so it you have a problem with it, then don't provide it
Well, indeed. Hence my post - I am trying to NOT provide it, but someone else is displaying it without asking me or allowing me to not broadcast it. Perhaps you have a suitable solution?