I agree to the terms and conditions of the software, and hereby sign away my life just to check my freaking messages.

the performance of a contract may not be made dependent upon the consent to process further personal data, which is not needed for the performance of that contract

In order to obtain freely given consent, it must be given on a voluntary basis. The element “free” implies a real choice by the data subject. Any element of inappropriate pressure or influence which could affect the outcome of that choice renders the consent invalid.

saying they give people all the controls they need to manage and control access to their information. But controls with dishonest instructions on how to use them aren’t really controls at all. And opt outs that don’t exist smell rather more like a lock in.