I use (or used, I mostly have Lightwave switches instead of zigbee bulbs now) one of my Echo devices as a gateway, and sure it will call the mothership, but I really don't care about that as long as the switches and other devices themselves still works if/when I decide to tear out the Echos. To me they're not a problem, as long as they speak open protocols.
I think that part is more important than demanding a hub. Demanding that the device can connect to a local hub (where "can" means "can easily be reconfigured without going through the original manufacturer or requiring expensive tools"...) speaking open protocols (and specify clearly what "open protocol" means, to avoid your 600 page, 200$ ISO standard) is more important than requiring that they must connect to a local hub. Also necessary to specify that you can carry out all the functions of the device via open protocols, or you'll get bullshit where essentials get locked away.
Personally, I don't care if I have proprietary smart home devices. I do care that the maximum cost and hassle if a manufacturer goes "rogue" like in this linked article remains low. So each proprietary device in current use reduces my willingness to get another one. Currently, all of my devices can be controlled via open source, and though some of them (some cheap Govee led strips) do call home, there are open source to talk to them, and worst case I can literally cut them off with a pair of scissors and replace the controllers for a pittance if they ever become a nuisance, and that makes them an acceptable choice (though whenever there are multiple options I will look for the more open one).
I think that part is more important than demanding a hub. Demanding that the device can connect to a local hub (where "can" means "can easily be reconfigured without going through the original manufacturer or requiring expensive tools"...) speaking open protocols (and specify clearly what "open protocol" means, to avoid your 600 page, 200$ ISO standard) is more important than requiring that they must connect to a local hub. Also necessary to specify that you can carry out all the functions of the device via open protocols, or you'll get bullshit where essentials get locked away.
Personally, I don't care if I have proprietary smart home devices. I do care that the maximum cost and hassle if a manufacturer goes "rogue" like in this linked article remains low. So each proprietary device in current use reduces my willingness to get another one. Currently, all of my devices can be controlled via open source, and though some of them (some cheap Govee led strips) do call home, there are open source to talk to them, and worst case I can literally cut them off with a pair of scissors and replace the controllers for a pittance if they ever become a nuisance, and that makes them an acceptable choice (though whenever there are multiple options I will look for the more open one).