[count]

One of the requirements for HomeKit branding is that you work without internet connectivity.

[kragen]

that's a good start, but if you have 100% local control over a device that is refusing to work (because it doesn't have internet connectivity or for any other reason), you can fix the bug (or apply someone else's fix you downloaded from gitlab)

that doesn't work if you've ceded that control to apple, because they are not local

[wil421]

I can put HomeKit devices on a VLAN and not have them phone home. My Apple TV or HomePod will act as a bridge and will carry out my automations while I’m gone. Apple devices don’t bother me they aren’t an Ad company and have products I’ll buy into.

[count]

You..you do have control over the devices without internet access. That's the point.

You don't have '100% control' over things like code because they're embedded, certified devices, generally.