[rhizome]

Aside from how well targeting works (it doesn't), it's a bit presumptuous to assume resources on a user's machine are free for the taking, much less justifying it with an assumption about "unused" services running on that machine. At the same time, and I imagine this might be the vantage point you're speaking from, it wouldn't be the first time advertisers played fast and loose with user resources and activity.

[rscrawfo]

You don't feel like targeting works? I feel like I'm a moderately careful person (who hates ads), I use stricter browser settings and ublock origin, but I still get somewhat targeted ads when I do see them. My wife, who isn't as careful, frequently gets very targeted ads. Friends and family often remark that the phone seems to be listening with how targeted the ads are. Exposing your brand to those who are interested is very powerful.

[kshdeo]

I would rephrase what I said - this is one of the ways how tech companies make it affordable for us to order ‘food’ from the comfort of our home while someone is running on a bike in a snow storm to get our favorite pizza before it gets cold.

On the other hand, you always have a choice to not use UberEats(or most others) and order by phone/walk-in and save your resources.

And it would be a bit of exaggeration to say targeting doesn’t work - It’s obviously far from perfect but it generates billions everyday for a reason.