You paid for it. So why is your device showing ads?

The article documents how major manufacturers—Samsung, Stellantis (Jeep/Ram/Chrysler), and Microsoft—have introduced advertisements and promotional content into previously ad-free devices through software updates, including refrigerator cover screens, vehicle dashboards, and Windows 11 lock screens. Kurt Knutsson provides direct manufacturer statements: Samsung confirmed its pilot program (which users can disable in settings), Stellantis acknowledged past promotional messages but claims they ended mid-fall 2025, and Microsoft declined comment. The reporting includes specific technical guidance on disabling these features and interviews substantive concerns about ownership and control, though Microsoft's silence limits independent verification of Windows claims. The independent search results surface related consumer frustration on Samsung's own community forums and broader context about ad-blocking technologies, corroborating that device-based advertising is a recognized consumer pain point, though they do not independently verify the specific timeline or scope of the practices Knutsson describes.