> I can only conclude that Windows is basically malware now...

Windows has worked like spyware since what, the late Windows 7 days or thereabout?

End users should not regard this as inevitable. Or get caught up in the how-it-works-how-to-disable swamp. Instead, cut through to the essence. It's about respect:

# Microsoft does not respect Windows users (or users of any of their offerings?).

# LG does not respect people who buy their monitors (and perhaps other products?).

Knowing that, why would you use such a sleazy company's product for daily driving? Or give them your money? Would you buy bread from a baker who pisses on your lawn every time you're not looking?

User rights or consumer protection laws aren't even part of this equation. Although they do help (sometimes a lot!) to keep companies honest.