Owners of LG smart televisions have voiced growing frustration in recent days following a software update that quietly introduced Microsoft Copilot directly into the webOS operating system
The AI assistant known for its controversial debut on Windows now appears as a fixed tile on the home screen of numerous models leaving users unable to uninstall it completely
Many can only hide the icon or leave it dormant highlighting a broader debate over consumer control in an era of increasingly connected devices
Reports emerged over the weekend with Reddit threads quickly gaining traction as affected individuals shared screenshots of the uninvited addition
One widely upvoted post described the update process that pinned Copilot alongside familiar streaming services yet stripped away the standard removal tools available for other applications
LG documentation confirms that select system-level apps fall into this protected category allowing concealment but not full eradication
This rollout aligns with earlier announcements from both companies at the start of the year when LG and Microsoft outlined plans to embed Copilot within the 2025 television lineup as part of an ambitious AI-enhanced viewing experience
The feature positions the assistant as a helper for content discovery and contextual queries though the current implementation largely serves as a gateway to the web-based version rather than a deeply integrated native tool
Compounding the discontent the same update has spotlighted another capability dubbed Live Plus
This setting employs automatic content recognition to scan whatever plays on screen analyzing viewing patterns to deliver tailored recommendations and advertisements
Often enabled by default it relies on separate AI processing to refine suggestions raising parallel concerns about privacy and data usage in the living room
While webOS runs on a Linux foundation some observers speculate this move supports Microsoft broader strategy to extend Copilot reach across diverse platforms including those with modest desktop market shares
Yet the execution has struck a nerve with many who view premium televisions as investments deserving greater autonomy post-purchase
Suggestions circulating among users include disabling Live Plus through buried menu paths blocking internet access to halt further updates or shifting entertainment duties to external streaming devices altogether
These workarounds underscore a familiar tension in smart home technology where convenience often intersects with questions of ownership and consent
As manufacturers lean further into AI-driven personalization the incident serves as a reminder that innovative features can quickly sour when deployed without clear opt-out mechanisms or transparent communication
For now LG has yet to issue a detailed response addressing the mounting complaints leaving owners to navigate the changes on their own