@elduvelle @acs @Mikaleb @pixelfed ads are fine in themselves. Independently run parts of the internet existed for a long time on ads that were responsibly run i.e. just basic text or images aimed at the community, which didn't require or collect any data.
Hell, I remember we used to be happy when our favourite independent sites got sponsorships, and popular content creators still do it with product endorsements.
So I wouldn't object to that form of advertising again.