Do we want personalized ads, though? I don't, but I suspect I'm in a small minority. If I want to purchase something, I'll go do some research. I specifically don't want ads that are designed to try to get me to purchase something I don't need based on some manipulative psychological model based on my browsing behavior.
A quick search makes it apparent to me that most people do want personalized ads, or at least think they do, while at the same time most people don't want the behind-the-scenes tech that makes it possible.
I think it also doesn’t really matter if we want or don’t want them - if people are more likely to click on personalized ads (I’d be surprised if they aren’t) then they’ll do it anyway. Just so happens it sounds appealing to some.
A quick search makes it apparent to me that most people do want personalized ads, or at least think they do, while at the same time most people don't want the behind-the-scenes tech that makes it possible.