Wenheng Zhao […] received at least $14,866 in bribe in exchange for secret military information […]

But a fine of only $5,500? It’s apparently profitable to be a BAD spy, too

My opinion: the fine should be AT LEAST 2x (if not 10x) what the bribes were. And not dismissible in bankruptcy.

Birds of a feather got to stick together.

My take is two fold: 1- Marketing over selling their product (common practice) 2- The “always listening” devices are mainly their Smart Remotes that have a microphone built in.

#2 Seems the most likely as is a device fully in their control and can pull as much ad marketing / information gathering details from it as they want.