LG TV's new software update installed MS Copilot, which cannot be deleted

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Old vs New Reddit, Accessibility, and UI “Mildly Infuriating” Tricks

  • Many praise old.reddit.com for readability and ease of searching long threads; others find it unusable due to poor accessibility, broken zoom, and lack of proper screen reader support.
  • There’s an explanation that r/mildlyinfuriating deliberately uses CSS tricks (tilted comments, fake hair, fake dead pixel, Comic Sans links) to annoy viewers.
  • Some prefer new Reddit/app for built‑in comment search; others say it’s cluttered, monetization-heavy, and hostile to power users.
  • Note that HN auto‑rewrites Reddit links to old.reddit.com, which some appreciate and some dislike.

Smart TVs, Tracking, and “Live Plus” / ACR

  • Strong sentiment: never connect TVs (especially LG/Samsung) to the internet; use them as “dumb” displays only.
  • Several describe LG’s “Live Plus” and similar features as spyware that does content-aware tracking (ACR) of everything on screen, including HDMI inputs.
  • Advice: manually disable Live Plus, and check after updates since it may turn itself back on; others share DNS blocklists for LG tracking/ads.
  • One commenter notes ACR has subsidized TV prices for years; another cites Vizio’s per‑user ad revenue as illustrating how much subsidy might be involved.

Workarounds: Rooting, Blocking, External Boxes

  • Rooting LG TVs (e.g., via rootmy.tv) is mentioned as a way to disable updates/ads, though some models are patched.
  • Others propose DNS filtering of firmware/update endpoints but warn about security risks from unpatched software.
  • Common recommendation: never use built‑in “smart” features; instead attach external devices (Apple TV, Nvidia Shield, Roku, etc.) and/or isolate the TV on a jailed LAN.

Desire for Dumb / Owner-First TVs and Regulation

  • Many wish for a “Framework-style” or Sonos-like premium dumb TV: high-quality panel, good enclosure, basic input switching, no telemetry.
  • Acknowledgment that such a product would be more expensive because current smart TVs are subsidized by ad/data revenue.
  • Calls for regulation: right to remove unwanted software, block forced updates, require open/replaceable firmware, and prevent products from being tethered to vendors after purchase.

Microsoft Copilot on LG TVs: Backlash and Confusion

  • Strong anger at Copilot being force-installed and non-removable; described as emblematic of “enshittification.”
  • Multiple people question any plausible use case for Copilot on a TV, beyond speculative voice/search assistance.
  • One commenter notes that, based on their research, Copilot might just be an inert app unless opened, but others remain distrustful.
  • Broader frustration is directed at Microsoft for pushing Copilot everywhere against user wishes, seen as deeply tone‑deaf and anti-consumer.