Yes, they are. You can sign up for retargeting information from them, and cross reference that with those people when they visit your site. You pay it forward and pay a bit per segment, but you get the same results.
Retargeting doesn't release the information to you. They are selling access to their network under specific conditions. Retargeting just lets me say, "make sure X sees my ad", it doesn't let me say "I know of X person, send me all their information so I can do what I want with it."
There's a pretty big difference. Facebook and Google would not be in business if they let third parties aggregate their detailed personal records.
There's a pretty big difference. Facebook and Google would not be in business if they let third parties aggregate their detailed personal records.