If you register your machine for warranty..technically someone could hack into it and get your name, and a lot of other personal info..a lot of these places ask for your income range, as well as the usual personal info. Do I think it will happen? No..I think hackers are going for the big sites, with hundreds of thousands of people's info on it, but what do I know? It could happen. Maybe it's easier to hack into a sewing machine manufacturer than a bank..look at the ransomware..they do that for as little as a few hundred dollars for each person hacked..if they knew you made 200K a year..then the ransom might go up!
It's the wild west out there, and the truth is no one knows what the downside is until it happens.

a lot of these places ask for your income range, as well as the usual personal info.

That's easy. I give false info other then name, email, model/serial number, date bought. That is all that is needed to be real. Hey I'm a millionaire on many forms. LOL

Personally I find this whole thread rather frivolous. Five hundred years ago, Michel de Montaigne said: "My life has been filled with terrible misfortune; most of which never happened." I'd rather focus my energies on my friends, family, and hobbies. I'm a much happier and healthier person for it.

I don't see this as a doom and gloom post. One never knows if the thoughts and opinions posted are helpful to someone else, or are making someone think in a new way. Personally, I think contemplating the questions of tech and 'smart tech' is important although I agree this scenario (smart home to sewing machine) might not truly be one that gets targeted by hackers or malware/ransomware. If this even helps someone think a second time about better securing their wireless or devices, it's a good thing.

I agree with Chesirepat.