@Brian D it not the tracking that is necessarily bad, it is to what purpose is the date used. Every time you visit a website, basic information is collected, browser type, IP address, time, duration, and so forth. This is done at the server level. It is possible by using VPN to anonymize some of that information, primarily the IP address, but that IP address is still tracked.
While SBO doesn't share tracking data, they know when you were last here and when you last posted something. That's tracking.
You're also tracked on the highway if you use a toll pass, like EZ-Pass. If your ID card is used to enter your work place you're tracked. When you mail a package with a tracking number, you're tracked.
When you open email, you can be tracked. One method mass mailers use is to embed a link to a 1 pixel image that is the same color as the background. When the email is opened the image is retrieved and the sender records the email address, IP address, date, and time the image called. Some may even track the browser or mail program.
Tracking happens and is going to continue to happen. The big question and the big issue is to what purpose the data is used. It can be used for fairly benign purposes, like keeping of what messages on SBO you read or respond to, or can be used for quite nefarious purposes like micro targeting divisive political ads. And there are useful purposes, like remembering logins, remembering preferences for a website and so forth.
Unfortunately, the walls and barriers we erect to protect our privacy are just challenges to those with nefarious purposes.