LG is reportedly pushing Microsoft Copilot onto its smart TV users, based on claims shared by a Reddit user. According to the post, a recent software update added the AI chatbot as a built-in system app that cannot be removed, raising fresh questions about how far manufacturers can go in embedding AI into consumer devices.
The user says the app appeared after a routine software update, with no request for permission. Because Copilot is treated as a system-level app, it can’t be removed through standard settings, leaving only complex firmware changes that are out of reach for most users.
The episode shows what critics describe as a new phase of “smart TV bloatware,” with permanent apps gradually finding their way onto devices. LG is hardly alone: Samsung has also drawn criticism after updates reportedly restored apps users had previously removed or disabled, including Xbox, Rakuten, and Samsung TV Plus.
Both companies had previously announced plans to integrate Microsoft Copilot into their TV platforms in 2025, but the forced, non-removable installation appears to have begun early for some.
An undeletable third-party AI chatbot would be a first, even in the already crowded ecosystem of smart TV software. In response to the Reddit post, other users suggested blunt but practical workarounds, such as never signing into the app or cutting the TV off from the internet altogether.
The situation mirrors ongoing privacy concerns among LG TV users. Live Plus, a separate service, has been criticized for being enabled by default and for analyzing viewing habits to provide an “enhanced viewing experience,” which involves sharing data with advertisers. While users can disable it in the additional settings menu, the setup reflects a broader reliance on opt-out rather than opt-in privacy controls.
Microsoft is rapidly expanding Copilot across devices and platforms, a move that has attracted regulatory scrutiny outside the U.S. With user adoption remaining modest, the company faces growing pressure to increase Copilot’s reach and demonstrate its commercial potential, sometimes at the expense of user choice.
LG has yet to comment publicly on the reported Copilot installations. In the meantime, affected users are left choosing between taking their TVs offline, attempting risky firmware modifications, or living with an AI assistant they never requested.
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