Lots of studies collect demographic data to be able to examine results based on different kinds of demographics, that's not a critique at all. In social sciences we often wanna compare are lesbians happier than straight couples or whatever (they are) for example.
It makes sense in that area of study. It's quite possible I've gotten more sensitive to surveyors asking every question imaginable. Personal information is more easily weaponized these days, and even anonymized data isn't entirely safe (what Cambridge Analytics did with such data was scary).
Yeah absolutely. But if we're GONNA ask it we gotta actually get it *right*! :P
*vigorous nodding*