LG is now pushing Microsoft Copilot, through a webOS update, to its smart TVs and owners are complaining they can’t uninstall it. The change came in response to a flood of user complaints that were started by Tom’s Hardware, with Engadget staff confirming that we found Copilot preloaded (and uninstallable in any practical sense aside from the ability to hide its icon from your home screen).
What Changed for LG TVs with the New Copilot Update
After a recent software update, Copilot can be found alongside core apps on the webOS home screen. It does not have a regular uninstall feature in settings, as most third-party applications do. According to postings on Reddit’s r/mildlyinfuriating, users reported the behavior and quickly garnered huge amounts of attention — the lead post received more than 36,000 upvotes along with thousands of comments from frustrated TV owners.
LG permits the Copilot tile to be removed; however, it’s still on your device. That distinction is important: Even a hidden app can get updates, ask for permissions, or pop up in voice prompts. To households who prefer to treat their TV as an appliance more than a computing tool, having a nonremovable AI assistant kicking around falls solidly into the “bloatware” category.
Why the Nonremovable Copilot on LG TVs Matters Now
Smart TVs are paid for by software and advertising, not just hardware margins. webOS from LG includes ad content recommendations and targeted ads around LG’s ad business. Embedding a cloud-connected assistant would further enrich that software stack and could increase the number of data avenues, from search and voice to app usage and engagement.
Privacy advocates point to missteps by the TV industry in the past as cautionary tales. In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission settled with Vizio over its undisclosed habit of capturing viewing data, a case that revealed just how deeply a TV can mine behavioral patterns. Although there’s no suggestion that…