Final answer:
The statement that is the LEAST TRUE about personal data collection by technology companies is that they are required by law to give users options to personalize what data they collect, as this is not universally implemented and varies with jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the statement that is the LEAST TRUE about personal data that technology companies potentially collect, we need to examine the current legal landscape. While it is true that companies often offer services free of charge in exchange for access to user data and can sell this data to advertisers, it is not universally accurate that companies are required by law to give users options to personalize what data they collect. Regulations like the GDPR in Europe provide strict guidelines on data collection and user control, but such comprehensive laws are not implemented worldwide, and even within jurisdictions with strong privacy laws, compliance can vary. The statement that companies may save personal data permanently also requires scrutiny since laws like GDPR mandate 'right to be forgotten' which can compel deletion under certain circumstances.