I admit I could have phrased it better. What I implied is that the end result has been that people got manipulated by such techniques (which I don't blame them

I admit I could have phrased it better. What I implied is that the end result has been that people got manipulated by such techniques (which I don't blame them for, as these methods have been engineered to be extremely persuasive and credible-looking). I did not imply that everyone was de-facto manipulated by those. Only that it can already happen.