After owners woke up to an undeletable AI tile on their home screens, the tech giant clarifies it isn’t spying—and promises a fix is on the way.
- LG has committed to a future update that will allow users to delete the Microsoft Copilot icon, following a wave of customer complaints.
- The company clarified that the tile is not a permanently installed app or surveillance tool, but rather a simple web browser shortcut.
- This incident underscores a broader frustration among smart TV owners regarding unrequested features and privacy concerns in the age of AI.
If you own an LG smart TV, you might have recently settled in for a movie night only to find a new, uninvited guest staring back at you from the home screen: a Microsoft Copilot tile. You aren’t alone if you found this sudden addition jarring. Following a recent software update, users across the globe discovered the AI chatbot icon front and center on their webOS interfaces.
The backlash was swift and loud. Owners were frustrated not only by the intrusion but by the discovery that the tile appeared to be a permanent fixture—there was no immediate way to delete or hide it. For many, this felt like an example of AI technologies being forced upon them without consent, sparking immediate concerns regarding privacy, data collection, and control over their own devices.
The “App” That Wasn’t
Responding to the customer outcry, LG has moved quickly to do damage control. The company acknowledged that not everyone wants AI woven into their television experience and promised to “take steps to allow users to delete the shortcut icon if they wish” in a future software update.
Crucially, LG also sought to dispel fears regarding what the tile actually does. According to Chris De Maria, Director of Public Relations at LG Electronics North America, the Copilot integration is not a native application installed on the TV’s operating system. Instead, it is merely a shortcut.
LG explains that clicking the icon simply launches the TV’s existing web browser and navigates to Microsoft’s Copilot website. It does not run as an embedded service in the background, nor does it have unfettered access to your living room. “Features such as microphone input are activated only with the customer’s explicit consent,” LG stated, emphasizing that the feature was added solely to “enhance customer accessibility and convenience.”
The Battle for the Dashboard
While LG’s implementation is less invasive technically than many users initially feared—functioning as a bookmark rather than bloatware—the principle behind the update has struck a nerve. The situation highlights a growing and contentious trend in the smart electronics industry: manufacturers altering the user experience and adding features without asking for permission first.
For consumers, the frustration stems from a lack of ownership. When a TV manufacturer pushes unremovable icons to a device you already purchased, it reinforces the feeling that modern smart TVs are becoming billboards for partnerships rather than neutral display devices. While this specific instance involves an AI shortcut, it serves as a reminder to stay vigilant about what appears on your home screen after the screen goes dark and updates install.
How to Reclaim Control
While LG prepares the update that will introduce the delete button for the Copilot tile, users are not entirely without recourse. If you are concerned about your TV’s privacy or interface, there are immediate steps you can take to protect your viewing experience:
- Review Privacy Settings: Double-check your TV’s permissions. Ensure that microphone access is disabled for web browsing and other non-essential apps.
- Manage Updates: Check your software update settings. If you prefer to vet changes before they happen, consider pausing automatic updates in favor of manual control.
- Go External: If the native interface becomes too cluttered or intrusive, many users find that switching to external streaming devices (like Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast) offers a cleaner, more controlled user interface than the TV’s built-in smart features.
For now, LG owners can rest a little easier knowing the uninvited AI guest won’t be a permanent resident. However, the uproar serves as a clear signal to tech companies: just because you can put an icon on our screens, doesn’t mean you should.