Broader concerns
Users have been finding LG Monitor App Installer and its ads on their systems without LG ever showing a prompt or asking for permission. LG has some of the most expensive computer monitors available. Paying, in some cases, over $1,000 for a monitor that ends up forcing ads onto Windows is disruptive and a privacy concern. Once the app is installed, “LG technically possesses permission to use ‘all system resources,’” as well as to “collect geolocation, device data, online activity, contacts, user credentials, transactions, and more,” Burke said.
It’s also concerning that the practice has been going on for years and has seemingly expanded recently. Burke said he recently started seeing the pop-up ad on LG monitors he purchased three years ago.
The incident also brings questions about what Windows permits from peripherals’ companion apps.
LG Monitor App Installer’s description on the Microsoft Store states that the app is for users to “easily install and use apps supported by your monitor through LG Monitor App Installer” and lists McAfee as one of those apps.
Further, Microsoft allows Universal Windows Platform device apps “to automatically install when the user connects their device to the PC” if the user hasn’t opted out of Recommended Settings during installation and is connected to the Internet and signed into the Microsoft Store, per a Microsoft support page for Windows developers spotted by Windows Latest. The page reads:
The automatic installation feature does not provide a notification to the user when the app is installed. Some users may find this experience confusing and frustrating and give your app a bad rating.
Other hardware vendors have been criticized for their devices automatically installing unwanted software when connected to a computer. Examples include Razer (gaming peripherals), Logitech (gaming and productivity peripherals), Asus (motherboards), and Gigabyte (motherboards). Considering that most monitors don’t necessarily require a companion app and can be rather expensive, the forcible installation of LG Monitor App Installer may seem particularly egregious.
Ars Technica reached out to LG about the purpose of LG Monitor App Installer, affected monitors, and privacy concerns. A company representative acknowledged receipt of the questions but didn’t provide a response ahead of publication.
Citing user complaints, Gamers Nexus listed the following monitors as auto-installing LG Monitor App Installer onto PCs. But with Microsoft approving of the practice, there may be more monitors installing LG’s bloatware:
- 34GX900A-B
- 45GX950-B.AEU
- 32GS95UE-B
- 39GX950B
- 27GP83B-B
- 27GN800
- 32GS95UE-B
- 27GN850-B
