I really don't think 'the public' has any more say in this than they did about how cookies work. They're as clueless about how politics and laws work as they are about technical matters.
And web developers have every incentive to keep it that way.
See my other comment about how browser UI is bad and hides this stuff. making more user friendly UIs would keep this in the realm of the technical and free market, and out of the hands of lawmakers, and I'd be fine with that.
And web developers have every incentive to keep it that way.