Samsung turns smart fridges into advertising platforms in new test

As if our collective lives weren't sardine-packed enough with ads, Samsung is now planning to force advertisements onto refrigerators. Corporate dystopia, right in your kitchen!

A software update for Samsung’s Family Hub smart refrigerators will bring ads to some customers' screens in the U.S., but don't worry, that's a good thing, at least according to Samsung. The company said it's part of a new pilot program that would "strengthen the value" of owning a Samsung smart fridge.

Here's a statement from Samsung on the ads, according to Android Authority.

"Samsung is committed to innovation and enhancing every day 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 U.S. 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 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."

There doesn't appear to be a way to shut off ads altogether on the Family Hub fridges. You can, however, seemingly dismiss any ad you don't want to see again or activate Art Mode.

Samsung smart refrigerators, part of the company's Bespoke line of fancy appliances, already run you from around $1,800 to $3,500, so the addition of advertisements to an otherwise luxury product is odd.

Considering how many electronic devices now come with screens, it's not necessarily surprising when those screens become populated with ads. But it does feel quite dystopian that reaching for a midnight snack now comes with a side of brand placement, whether you like it or not.