I don't understand why people willingly pay thousands for these fridges. Just buy a regular fridge without the screen.

Because their old fridge died and they need a new one now, and this is all that's in stock.

Because they didn't buy the fridge, their landlord did.

Because the fridge is installed at a workplace, or community centre, or other location at which the individual has no effective choice.

Because there are no new fridges with other desired features which don't have screens.

Because, at some future date, absent legislation or crushing litigation, no non-screen, ad-free fridges exist.

Substitute for "fridge" and "ads" any of number of other consumer / general appliances: stoves, washing machines, dishwashers, phones, televisions, thermostats, doorbells, petrol pumps, etc., or features: cameras, microphones, speakers, iris scanners, thumbprint readers, facial recognition, etc., etc.

I recently tried this for a new TV - buying a regular “non-smart” TV without the internet features without being “AI-enabled” (whatever the fuck that means).

It wasn’t possible - there was literally no TV available that didn’t have a small computer built in to connect to the internet and send all my usage data somewhere.

I probably have to find a second hand one somewhere or just continue to live without one.

Not saying that it’s the same with fridges - but who knows a few years down the line it might be…

While you still can..

I searched for this comment for a long time, it should be the first one.