I hear what you're saying and it's all crossed my mind before. It makes sense. However, smart people realise that they are potentially risking future freedoms for the sake of a voice command to "turn on".
It's another step closer to complete control if for example a totalitarian power emerges again (as has happened countless times in human history). Governments and police force will get warrants to access data and gradually our rights and protection of civil liberties will erode unless we do something.
You have to invite the vampire in.
Regarding phones - it's another example of a system spreading in a dormant state and later expressing its invasive potential. When the first smart phones came out they didn't have front facing cameras. Now they do but steady low battery impact mobile internet is new.
It's like bait and switch. We buy in but we have to stay vigilant as the deal is always changing.
I'm currently trying to buy non tearing stickers for my gadgets with cameras. Doesn't solve the audio problem though.
Hopefully none of these technologies will ever be used against us but why take the risk unless its really worth it?
I can't seem to reply to your nested comment so ill reply here. Regarding Sony and publishers implementing their own DRM you could be right sadly.
I just wish you could buy these next gens without the cameras. I find the whole idea upsetting and don't want to support companies trying to wipeout people's home privacy.
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