You're right; however, people (NYT subscribers and the general public) have the right to press the advertising department regarding the information and viewpoint presented by the newsroom.
If the advertising department is the entity responsible for the private-browsing situation, when a reader says "The New York Times" in this context, it should be read as "The New York Times' advertising department".
Ideally, the public editor (which the NYT no longer has) would do so, prompted by readers.
If the advertising department is the entity responsible for the private-browsing situation, when a reader says "The New York Times" in this context, it should be read as "The New York Times' advertising department".
Ideally, the public editor (which the NYT no longer has) would do so, prompted by readers.