What about botnet operators? This would give them a hard time if they have to hack each device specifically instead of recycling old linux vulnerabilities whole

What about botnet operators? This would give them a hard time if they have to hack each device specifically instead of recycling old linux vulnerabilities wholesale. The whole IoT industry is strongly committed to make devices available to botnet operators, indeed this looks like the main function, the function on the packaging usually works poorly and is likely just there to convince punters to install the botnet relays and pay for the hardware and power. :-)