Why aren't people starting their protest against the website they're currently using instead of at OP.
You're upset that OP used an image or javascript instead of grepping `access.log` makes absolute no sense. The same data is shown there.
One difference is intent. When you build an analytics system you have an obligation to let people opt out. Access logs serve many legitimate purposes, and yes, they can also be used to track people, but that is not why access logs exist. This difference is also reflected in law. Using access logs for security purposes is always allowed but using that same data for marketing purposes may require an opt-in or disclosure.