Intel Management Engine, Worrying or not?

[ThinkPad560X]

Just saw a few videos and read up on the Intel Managment Engine (ME) I follow and know about Intel with just the processor side of things such as speed and gen version but not the CPU built in tools. Same with AMD but don't follow much with them. (Wanting to build an all AMD machine with a case I got). I already know about how Microsoft with Windows 8 - 10 - 11 has the most spyware and sending back information out of the other older windows, but should this Intel Managment Engine be a concern? It was started in 2008 to now. I didn't see it in my Core 2 Duo machines that I checked. Intel Management Engine Interface #1 Shows up on my T470p under system devices. It seems it can give a backdoor to agencies and has an os running minux that you can't see or control and that it sends back info like MS does through LAN and somehow WiFi even if machine is powered off. It can send key types, images, what's on display, passwords and other data.

I see why I been seeing libreboot and coreboot on mostly ThinkPads such as T60, T/W500, X200, X230 and T420. When I first heard of those, I thought that they were other Linux distros. So, is there any reason to patch this with a custom bios patch or just ignore it and carry on? I even read on the comments that if agencies want that they can brick everyone's PCs whenever they want for the attack strike for the "You'll Own Nothing and be happy saying"

[TPFanatic]

Intel ME is suspicious, but it's one of the things you accept living with when you use a PC. It's a coprocessor but I don't believe it its own built in network chip, rather it would commandeer whatever 802 is equipped. I imagine removing the hardware or administrating your own external firewall would mitigate that.

My opinion is information systems and privacy simply cannot coexist. Every internet service is collecting your unique data and every social service is generating uniquely identifiable profiles regardless of whether you register with them. You can block the internet but even offline, Windows will keep a local audit of everything you do. Storage encryption only protects data at rest, any powered on PC can be hijacked, and vulnerabilities are being detected every day. Malicious abuse of this data is a real danger. Wherever humans are involved, problems will occur. Computers are not fun. Personal tracking devices, AKA cell phones, are even worse.

Try to live in a good country and keep a low social profile, online and offline, is the best I can muster.