"Samsung sparked controversy when it confirmed earlier in 2025 that the owners of its $1,800 smart fridges would be subjected to unwanted commercials in their own kitchen, via the "family hub" screen on the front, previously only used for playing music, checking the weather, or seeing what's inside without opening the door. The tech giant said in a September statement: "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.""
"It added that the software update would cause the screen to start showing ads while in idle. It said: "Advertisements can be dismissed on the cover screens where ads are shown, meaning that specific ads will not appear again during the campaign period." Smart home tech is often more energy efficient and, while more expensive, can help consumers save money in the long run. For example, induction stoves, home solar panels, and battery storage systems have all been transformative for people who can afford them."
Owners of Samsung Family Hub refrigerators have received software updates that introduce promotional content and curated advertisements on the idle cover screen. Samsung described the feature as a pilot program for select U.S. models and said individual ads can be dismissed during the campaign. A Facebook user posted an image of an Apple TV ad on a new Samsung fridge, triggering widespread consumer backlash. Critics argued that embedding advertising into home appliances crosses privacy and consumer-experience boundaries, while proponents note smart-home devices often bring energy-efficiency and long-term savings despite higher upfront costs.
Read at The Cool Down
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