There is a difference between tracking with real name, vs tracking with unique identifier for showing better ads. I really don't understand how people in HN think that tracking for showing personalized short videos is same as sending names of people who searched for particular term to police.
We don't grant companies extraordinary powers to arrest/imprison/kill for any reason they see fit. The government involvement problem is VERY separate from the greedy company problem. And the government is supposed to be working for the people, we don't like being spied on, they should be making laws to prevent it, not looking to get in on it. There's even a document they're supposed to be referring to for guidance on such issues.
They are surveillance companies. That's part of the problem.