Apple TV Ad For a New Show Allegedly Caused Psychosis, Claims Reddit User

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A Reddit user reported that their sister experienced a psychotic episode, which they believe was triggered by an Apple TV advertisement for the show Pluribus.

According to a Reddit post, a woman with schizophrenia required hospitalization and a change to her medication after viewing an advertisement on a Samsung smart refrigerator. She was already receiving antipsychotic treatment.

So, I got this call from my sister, Fun-Blueberry-2147, and she was really freaked out. She told me someone was trying to talk to her through the fridge! It was so bizarre. She ended up taking a taxi straight to the hospital, and they kept her there for a couple of days to make sure she was okay.

When she got home, she apparently showed someone a picture of an ad for Pluribus on her fridge. The ad reportedly said, “We’re sorry we upset you, Carol.” Her sibling, who posted about it on Reddit, says they confirmed this is what they saw.

Okay, so this is totally wild! I was reading about this woman, Carol, and she seriously thought she was losing it – like, having a full-on psychotic break. Apparently, her refrigerator was displaying a ‘Pluribus ad’ error message, and it freaked her out so much she thought it was a hallucination! Can you imagine? It turns out it’s just a common error code on certain Samsung fridges, but she was understandably terrified at first.

— Brooks Otterlake (@i_zzzzzz) December 6, 2025

PLUR1BUS is a science fiction series set in a post-apocalyptic future, created by Vince Gilligan for Apple TV. The show centers around Carol Sturka, played by Rhea Seehorn, and her struggle to survive after a virus turns most of humanity into a single, connected consciousness, leaving her isolated.

The show’s first season debuted on November 7th, and it’s been renewed for a second season. Critics have lauded the series for its strong writing, skillful direction, and the outstanding performance of actress Rhea Seehorn.

Apple isn’t deciding where these ads appear. They’re simply purchasing ad space from Samsung, meaning Samsung is responsible for this. It was Samsung’s decision to start showing ads on devices people have already paid for – they began doing this years ago with smart TVs and have continued the practice, even when customers disliked it.

— Jerzy Bartoszewicz (@AntaresPL) December 6, 2025

Someone posted a question on the r/LegalAdviceUK Reddit forum asking if it’s legal to display ads on refrigerators in the United Kingdom. While most people thought it was probably legal, some discussed whether companies like Apple or Samsung, or the tech industry as a whole, should be held responsible for putting ads on personal devices such as smart fridges.

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2025-12-07 11:45