...to the shock and surprise of absolutely no one on HN.
Every single "smart device" is controlled by the manufacturer, who can install anything anytime on it.
The cheapest smart devices have a low sticker price only because they are meant to make money in other ways.
Alas, the pricier ones are also meant to make money in other ways. The more reputable manufacturers mainly want to avoid seeing their names dragged through the mud on the news. Otherwise, they are about as naughty as the disreputable manufacturers.
Your choices are (a) malware or (b) spyware and adware.
Did you just say that companies that don’t ship malware are just as bad as those who do, because you speculate they have impure motives for not shipping malware?
That seems excessively cynical and faux omniscient.
Every single "smart device" is controlled by the manufacturer, who can install anything anytime on it.
The cheapest smart devices have a low sticker price only because they are meant to make money in other ways.
Alas, the pricier ones are also meant to make money in other ways. The more reputable manufacturers mainly want to avoid seeing their names dragged through the mud on the news. Otherwise, they are about as naughty as the disreputable manufacturers.
Your choices are (a) malware or (b) spyware and adware.