Intel might not be useful, but there might be some worthwhile dirt on an individual that is worth digging up if they become an obstacle to whatever goals they are pursuing. In other words - think about how successful your political career might be 20 years from now if there was a record of every site you’ve ever looked at, every message you’ve sent, every item you’ve bought.
In an environment like that, the only people with a hope of election are those whose views do not offend the established power structure. And never have, ever. On top of that, even if you were extremely strategic in your expressed thoughts and ideas - opinions change and none of us can predict what will be in the interests of the powerful two or three decades from now.
