I kind of wonder whether it'd be worthwhile to have a certification agency that just certifies things for privacy and non-cloud-connectivity or the like. Trying to dig through spec sheets and reviews to figure out how a product functions is a pain. I'd rather pay slightly more to just look for some privacy certification on a product. I don't really want to try to keep up with the latest privacy issues present in a given product category, would rather have a specialist do that.

Like, let me just look for a "PC-24-O" (Privacy Certification 2024 Offline) label or something on products. Saves me time. Also would let vendors like Amazon let me filter products for that certification.

I wanted a countertop dishwasher. Home depot doesn’t have them in stores, it was online only. I figured it would probably make me make an account in order to check out. I said nah.

I got Sonoff relay switch, you can use guest account for it. But yeah all these smaet thing require a server and internet connection, so creating an account is mandatory in most case. One time my internet is down outside my control and i can't switch on my ventilation fan and have to use the manual switch on it, it's quite annoying. Kinda wish there's one made for just local because i don't need to use it remotely.

Minimal effort to investigate before you buy. But i guess most tech is bought on reflex.

its a shame you have to do this, but you can use HomeAssistant to disconnect a lot of those lights from their 'clouds' I bought dirt cheap RGBW bulbs from walmart and now I'm essentially emulating their 'cloud' on my local network. (tuya)

no more losing ability to control lights if the ISP goes down

Additional to that account thing: Why does one have to install an app in order to access all functions and to toggle options of a device?

My girlfriend once has bought new headphones. In order to switch off the telephone function (you can - among other things -answer calls from the connected smartphone by touching one side of the headphones) it is required to download an app (a sloppily programmed one as well) to switch off this specific function. All other functions (volume, play, back and forward) are operated with buttons.

I heard about the same thing but with printers: The scan settings can only be toggled by an app (I think it was HP who has that feature - who else!?)

Oi m8, you got an account for that?