Then prompt people and refuse access if they say no. Assumed consent is not okay.

Those sites aren't free, you're just paying indirectly and an surcharge to pay for all the middlemen involved to make that happen.

This is just word games. I obviously mean I don't need to exchange legal tender to use the site.

It's not word games. Pretending away the cost doesn't mean you don't pay it.

As if paid sites/services won't also share your information...

My sweet child, we shall shape the world for you

Many are not.