Bought a UE Boom 3 for my partner, and it demanded we download the app and connect to WiFi in order to use it.
We did not obey the machine, and now the machine obeys us. (It works fine with no app or internet, because why the hell should a Bluetooth speaker need an app or internet to work).
Unfortunately not going to be applicable to everything, but thought I’d throw this out there. If at least one person can avoid installing an unnecessary app to use something they’ve already paid for, then I’m happy.
I believe the op literally said this doesn’t apply to everything, and cited the Bluetooth speaker incident. I’m not sure what broader subject you are applying ops point to but carry on! You are free to install all the software on your phone you want, you do you, but I believe ops point remains. There are a huge number of devices that require no app to function, yet manufacturers are requiring an app, often requesting permissions completely unrelated to the purpose of the device. There is very little reason for this aside from information gathering.