Google and Facebook offer platforms to advertisers. For instance, Facebook lets advertisers show ads to users of age X, working at company Y, in location Z, et

Google and Facebook offer platforms to advertisers. For instance, Facebook lets advertisers show ads to users of age X, working at company Y, in location Z, etc. (without disclosing their identities). This is completely different from selling your information, and the companies' privacy policies and practices reflect this. As mike_hearn says, these sorts of alarmist claims ("they're selling your info!") are easily debunked. And in this case they detract from the rest of Julian's essay, which is a shame because elsewhere he makes some good points.