You are literally describing how data scientists can systemically modify behaviour while denying that they can lol. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Nobody would pay data scientists a cent if they couldn't get people to click on the advertising links they wanted them to click on at the end of the day. Their purpose is manipulation on the behest of moneyed interests (and potentially national interests). That's the game - behaviour modification - but I guess it's easier to retain staff when they believe a lie.