Not really. My iPhone, and especially my AirPods, have gotten massive feature upgrades since I bought them, and I didn't have to pay a thing.
And I assume my WiFi router updates have helped prevent people doing evil things with my devices.
Samsung's update here is obviously a massive fail, but it's one consumer device out of tens of thousands. I think it's clear the benefits outweigh the harms on the whole. Definitely sucks if you bought this particular soundbar though.
Maybe the issue to me is that I don't get to pick. My headphones have only gotten the ability to show ads on my phone because some of the functionality is only available via an app which pops up alerts to buy more headphones. My router updates have probably improved security but they definitely keep resetting my DNS which gives people the ability to track my browsing and I don't think that's an accident. I don't get to decide that I only want the security update, or the functionality update, it comes bundled with the privacy invasion and the constant shrieking of advertisements like baby birds. These "free" updates are not without cost. Nothing is actually free, not even on the internet. I'd love to go to a model where I get to pick among features to add to my devices, but if my decision is between everything or nothing I pick nothing.
And I assume my WiFi router updates have helped prevent people doing evil things with my devices.
Samsung's update here is obviously a massive fail, but it's one consumer device out of tens of thousands. I think it's clear the benefits outweigh the harms on the whole. Definitely sucks if you bought this particular soundbar though.