Imagine discovering an intrusive app on your smart TV that you can't remove—sounds frustrating, right? Well, that's exactly what some LG TV owners are experiencing with the latest update: LG has quietly introduced a built-in Microsoft Copilot application on certain models, and here's where it gets controversial. Despite many users' hopes for easy customization, this AI-powered app appears to be permanently embedded, with no options to uninstall it entirely.
Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, has been a significant focus for the tech giant this year. They've integrated it into their software ecosystem and promoted it as a revolutionary tool that can assist with a wide range of tasks. But some recent developments suggest that this integration might be crossing a line—particularly when it appears directly on user devices without explicit consent or clear opt-out options.
Recently, multiple LG smart TV owners have reported on forums and social media that they unexpectedly found a Copilot app on their devices. What's more troubling? They cannot remove this app at all. While some users have managed to hide it from the home screen—perhaps to avoid seeing it—it remains installed in the background, raising questions about user control and privacy.
Two tech journalists from Engadget tested this on different LG models—a 2022 OLED and a 2023 UA8000. They verified that the app is indeed non-removable. Interestingly, another team member with a similar 2022 OLED TV didn't see the Copilot app, suggesting that the experience might depend on individual settings, permissions, or regional differences.
LG has announced plans during the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to include an AI-powered search feature called Copilot in future models. While this may enhance user experience for some, many customers are expressing concern that embedding a persistent AI assistant directly into their TVs could be invasive or unsettling—especially because users typically prefer more control over what apps and features are integrated into their devices.
This raises an important question for consumers: Do we really want our smart devices to have unremovable, AI-driven software running silently in the background? And what does this mean for privacy and user autonomy in the age of pervasive AI? As technology advances, the controversy over user rights versus corporate innovation continues to grow. Do you agree that such integrations should be opt-in only, or is it acceptable for companies to embed powerful AI tools into devices without providing easy options to opt out? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate worth having.
