Broader Concerns About LG Monitor App Installer
Many users are discovering the LG Monitor App Installer and its ads appearing on their devices without explicit permission. LG is known for producing high-end computer monitors, often costing $1,000 or more. This can be particularly disruptive, raising privacy concerns when a premium monitor causes Windows to display unsolicited ads. According to Burke, once the app is installed, “LG technically has permission to use ‘all system resources,'” which includes “collecting location information, device data, online activity, contacts, user credentials, transactions, etc.”
credit:
Gamers Nexus/Windows/YouTube
The ongoing installation of the LG Monitor App Installer is a troubling trend that has escalated in recent years. Burke reported seeing pop-up ads on an LG monitor he purchased three years ago.
This situation prompts a broader discussion regarding Windows’ policies on companion apps for hardware peripherals.
The LG Monitor App Installer’s description in the Microsoft Store claims it allows users to “easily install and use apps supported by your monitor,” listing McAfee as a notable example.
Furthermore, Microsoft permits the installation of Universal Windows Platform device apps. According to Microsoft Support, if users fail to opt-out of recommended settings during installation and are connected to the internet while logged into the Microsoft Store, the app will be “automatically installed when the user connects their device to their PC.” Check out the developer documentation for more details. The documentation states:
The auto-install feature does not notify users when an app is installed. This lack of notification may lead to user confusion and frustration, potentially resulting in negative app ratings.
Other manufacturers face criticism for automatically installing unnecessary software when their devices connect to a PC. Examples include Razer (gaming peripherals), Logitech (gaming and productivity peripherals), Asus (motherboards), and Gigabyte (motherboards). The forced installation of the LG Monitor App Installer stands out due to the high cost of these monitors and the fact that they typically do not require companion apps.
Ars Technica reached out to LG for clarification on the LG Monitor App Installer’s intentions, the monitors affected, and privacy concerns. While a company representative acknowledged receipt of these inquiries, no response was provided before publication.
Based on user complaints, Gamers Nexus identified the following models as those likely to automatically prompt the LG Monitor App Installer upon PC connection. Microsoft’s endorsement of such practices may lead to an uptick in LG’s software installations across various monitor models:
- 34GX900A-B
- 45GX950-B.AEU
- 32GS95UE-B
- 39GX950B
- 27GP83B-B
- 27GN800
- 32GS95UE-B
- 27GN850-B
Source: arstechnica.com