[moshib]

I can imagine a different attack vector: A malicious actor doing laptop repairs can absolutely replace the hinge sensor and install software on it. They could draw in people by offering cheaper prices, then steal their info or use it to setup more complex scams.

The counterpoint to this is that car body shops can also plant recording devices in your car. This is true, but the signal-to-noise ratio in terms of stealing valuable data is much lower. I don't have data to back this up, but I assume way more people use their laptops for online purchases and accessing their bank account than doing the same with phone calls in the car.

[ajsnigrutin]

A repair worker can install software on it without replacing the sensor. Also add a tiny mic without installing the software. Or both.

I mean.. someone could replace your cars breakpads with pieces of wood or plastic, which would seemingly brake on the repair shop parking lot but fail horribly (burn and worse) when you needed them after. Somehow we still let people replace brake pads without having to program in the serial numbers.. for now.