That is a great risk that I, a conscious, responsible human being with agency, should be in charge of managing. Not my fridge
When it comes to actual safety issues, it's better that things not work when unsafe.
Not too long ago there was a story on HN about hospital patients getting sick from bacterial growth in ice machines.
And water filters are breeding grounds for bacteria. That's actually the main reason for replacing your Brita filter every 3 months, not its filtering efficacy.
You think electrical devices should have DRM that detects if you opened them, and bricks the device until you bring it to an "authorized" repair shop? Because if that's not what you had in mind, then we are in charge of managing electrocution. Banning sale of dangerously defective devices (what you were probably alluding to) is completely different to devices disobeying their owner.
So I suspect they are concerned about liability.
Just like the cliché about (safety) regulations are written in blood, I assume all these "commonsense" measures are because someone pulled a stupid, got people hurt, and then won a lawsuit.
Then, per the settlement/judgement, mfg has to add another baby bumper.
"WARNING: This plastic bag is not a toy. Do not sufficate yourself!"
Okay, now I won't. Thanks for the head's up.
Having said that, I'm not sure why a filter is needed. Is your tap water not already filtered enough?