It's not just cloud services...
These days you need to actively block all devices you don't want "phoning home", or you risk losing functionality at the manufacturer's whim. Case in point, an Epson printer successfully using third-party ink for years and then deciding it needed to auto-update its firmware. Big surprise - the update blocked third-party ink carts. That learning experience now has me putting outgoing firewall rules in place on every device I buy that doesn't explicitly NEED constant connectivity to function (creepy Vizio snooping TVs included). And if something does need that connectivity there had better be a damned good reason why - a reason that benefits ME!
Non-technical users are so totally screwed by what's going on, and I can sadly imagine the day very soon where every device you buy is going to require unrestricted outbound internet access to even turn on.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
