Now this seems like something "no one" (other than "techies") would really care about, right?
Yet he is calling this out specifically. This just shows that people inside Facebook (or LinkedIn or the other internet companies that do this) cannot claim they see nothing wrong with these practices. They cannot claim "no one cares" except some outliers, e.g. nerds.
They know what they are doing is wrong. Even if users dont know what Facebook is doing, if they are duped into giving "consent", Facebook knows and knows it is wrong.
If someone pilfers other peoples email address books or mobile phone contacts, that gives a very effective view into peoples personal and business connections. The thief can "connect people" (e.g., find her next targets).
But, assuming this thief hasnt gone bananas, she doesnt start trying to justify the theft by saying she is on some grand mission to "connect people" and "Its just what I do." Shes a thief who steals email address books and contacts -- personal belongings that were never intended to be shared with anyone else.
Nor does it make sense for her to try to start a "debate" on whether or not her thievery is justified. Its wrong, she knew that from the start and she did it anyway. Her actions were intentional. Theres nothing to debate.