No, they are TWO different things. Yes, data can be used to improve the effectiveness of advertisements but that doesn't mean they're the same thing. There are

No, they are TWO different things. Yes, data can be used to improve the effectiveness of advertisements but that doesn't mean they're the same thing. There are also data brokers who are in the business of buying and selling data not specifically for advertisement. And before the ability to track everything you click on, search for, talk about with friends online there were industries built around advertisement that still offered targeting to some extent. Ads can target users by classifying different channels/outlets for different purposes. So a website about gardening can offer ads for gardening supplies, etc. All without having to assemble massive databases about us. There's a difference, don't let the data brokers confuse you.