That's all great but, you need two to Tango.
CIG use the word CITIZEN, its not someone who just signed up on their site for free. Actually you can't do much on that site if you're not a CITIZEN, there are even a badge for it.
With that in mind, why would someone announce that they have X numbers of CITIZENS? if this number only was signed up people this doesn't mean Jack. So even if DS also are manipulating the information, and I have no proof of that, the numbers are kind of weird honestly.
If I remember correct, and please correct me if I'm wrong here, they went out and told the media that they now are X amount of CITIZENS, CIG actually never use the word backer that much.
The badge system is, Rank, backer/subscriber or blank, Organisation.
However its very foggy and not very clear so its easy to get confused. If you take the comments CR has around this and what value he give the CITIZENS, its equal to backers.
Source
So even IF Derek Smart is not a 100 % correct he is actually not wrong either in this matter. I even found an article describing the One Millions CITIZEN joining the "party".
Crowdfunded Wing Commander successor Star Citizen hits one million backers
Ofc they could all be just talking who really knows.