> I am trying to give some rational perspective of the balance of power between them and us
That should *not be a thing*.
You bought the device.
You own it.
It should be yours to do with as you see fit.
That applies to phones or appliances or cars unless your individual right to modify your devices begins to interfere with the rights of others (think: safety, tragedy of the commons scenarios, etc).
This is how we end up with cars we can't repair, phones we can't upcycle, TVs that advertise to us without our consent.
That should *not be a thing*.
You bought the device.
You own it.
It should be yours to do with as you see fit.
That applies to phones or appliances or cars unless your individual right to modify your devices begins to interfere with the rights of others (think: safety, tragedy of the commons scenarios, etc).
This is how we end up with cars we can't repair, phones we can't upcycle, TVs that advertise to us without our consent.
Its insanity.