Samsung has announced that owners of its high-end refrigerators, which cost upwards of $1,800, may have to endure unwelcome advertisements in their homes.
This scenario seems like something from a futuristic dystopian tale, albeit less intense. Earlier this month, it was reported that certain Samsung refrigerators were being updated with features that subtly added advertisements to the Family Hub screen.
The Family Hub screen is the touchscreen interface on the refrigerator door that allows users to check the weather, play music, or view the fridge’s contents without opening it.
Initially, some users speculated that this was a mistake or a one-off glitch. However, Samsung has since confirmed that this is a deliberate feature.
The company released a statement saying: “Samsung is committed to innovation and enhancing everyday value for our home appliance customers.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen that value, we are conducting a pilot program to offer promotions and curated advertisements on certain Samsung Family Hub refrigerator models in the U.S. market.
“As a part of this pilot program, Family Hub refrigerators in the US will receive an over-the-network (OTN) software update with Terms of Service (T&C) and Privacy Notice (PN). Advertising will appear on certain Family Hub refrigerator Cover Screens.”
The statement continued: “The Cover Screen appears when a Family Hub screen is idle. Ad design format may change depending on Family Hub personalization options for the Cover Screen, and advertising will not appear when Cover Screen displays Art Mode or picture albums.
“Advertisements can be dismissed on the cover screens where ads are shown, meaning that specific ads will not appear again during the campaign period.”
In essence, unless you’re showcasing artwork or family photos, you might find an ad replacing your weather widget or calendar on the screen.
Samsung mentions that while the ads can be dismissed, there isn’t an option to completely disable them during the campaign period.
On Twitter, the news has not been well-received. One user said: “Sorry Samsung, I refuse to watch ads whilst drinking milk . . . Not buying your products – YOU LOSE !!
“On a related note, when I’m filling up my car with petrol/gas at the bowser, I am subjected to ads on the bowser’s LCD screen.
“If my car needs 20 litres of gas I usually buy 21 lt . . . . 20lt for the car and 1lt to spray all over the Bowser’s LCD screen.”
Another commented: “If an appliance needs an internet connection, don’t get it. Security is usually one of the last things on their mind, as well as what happens when your service provider or the servers for the ad network got hacked.”
“Do you really want your home network hacked due to your fridge.”
A third person added: “Yeah but I won’t connect it to wifi so who’s the loser then? Huh.”