I don't know if ads have at any time in history been random. Sure they've been coarser and they've boxed more people in as an audience, but they've never really been random.
Really the main question is: what information may be used when deciding what ads to show users? Can that information be transferred or sold? Etc. etc.
That aside, I think there are many reasons why people might be against targeted ads. Maybe they won't even see certain offers because of their demographic or maybe they'll only see certain deals. Remember that a "well-targeted" add from the perspective of the ad agency and the seller is one that will make them money. Hence a well-targeted need not mean that you are shown interesting tech books instead of viagra medication, but instead that you are shown more expensive products in general and even possibly taking advantage of past behavior manipulate you into wanting to make a purchase you might not have made (or even needed). It's not all sunshine with better-targeted ads.
Really the main question is: what information may be used when deciding what ads to show users? Can that information be transferred or sold? Etc. etc.
That aside, I think there are many reasons why people might be against targeted ads. Maybe they won't even see certain offers because of their demographic or maybe they'll only see certain deals. Remember that a "well-targeted" add from the perspective of the ad agency and the seller is one that will make them money. Hence a well-targeted need not mean that you are shown interesting tech books instead of viagra medication, but instead that you are shown more expensive products in general and even possibly taking advantage of past behavior manipulate you into wanting to make a purchase you might not have made (or even needed). It's not all sunshine with better-targeted ads.