I look at it the other way around: why would I want ads to be targeted at me? What advantage do I get from that?
I arguably get a small advantage from ads targeted at what I'm currently doing, but the relative impact of what I'm currently doing is decreased (by definition) when the relative impact of who I am is increased.
I don't need to see recruiting ads when I'm looking for computer hardware, and I don't need to see computer hardware ads when I'm looking for a library implementing a particular network protocol.
To clarify: they're not personally targeted. With re-targeting they target a browser that's been to a site but hasn't converted. No company I know of targets based on specific identity.
It's a 3-way deal. I'd like to see fewer ads, without any obnoxious flash/animation. Also, ads that pay publishers more money for their traffic - and help advertisers find markets. The current market is completely broken; obnoxious ads for consumers, no support for good publishers and bad ROI for advertisers.
To clarify: they're not personally targeted. With re-targeting they target a browser that's been to a site but hasn't converted. No company I know of targets based on specific identity.
But what do you mean by "targets based on a specific identity?" Clearly the intent is to target the same person who went to a site but did not convert. That sounds like targeting based on a specific identity to me.
Also, I can name at least two companies that target people (OK, cookie stores) based on specific interests or traits they (OK, their users) are surmised to have: Google and Facebook. These two are very high-profile about it, so I would be surprised if others did not do the same.
I arguably get a small advantage from ads targeted at what I'm currently doing, but the relative impact of what I'm currently doing is decreased (by definition) when the relative impact of who I am is increased.
I don't need to see recruiting ads when I'm looking for computer hardware, and I don't need to see computer hardware ads when I'm looking for a library implementing a particular network protocol.