401k Auto-Enrollment Can Be Disempowering and a Missed Opportunity

Auto-enrollment in 401k plans as a strategy does not empower participants or build relationships with individual investors to create cross-sale opportunities, nor build commitment toward retirement plans (which they can opt out of at any time). 

Providing a generic prescription without considering individual situations and preferences is generally not sound investment advice.  If an investment advisor recommended a mutual fund without asking suitability questions, s/he could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and found liable.  Why is this okay in a 401k plan?