Reddit users said ads, including gambling promotions, appeared in chat and music apps; smart TVs displayed ads before playback. The original poster said Discord settings let them turn off ad personalization and real-money gambling ads, but not all ads.
Commenters said gambling promotions appeared even to people with no interest in betting and while people used products they had paid for or tried to connect with friends and family. They also objected to smart TVs requiring updates and accounts and showing promotions at startup; some said extra equipment or replacing a TV could mean more spending and electronic waste.
Suggestions included disconnecting a smart TV from the internet and using a separate streaming box, adjusting personalization or gambling-ad settings, or trying self-hosted or open-source communication tools. Commenters noted that settings may reduce targeting without eliminating ads, streaming devices differ in privacy and ad controls, and alternatives may not be practical for everyone.
