Yeah you're right. Basically my concern is having backdoors written into driver firmware that can not be removed. For example Intel's ME [1], AMD's PSP [2], Samsung's BL1 bootloader, etc. For me personally I don't mind using hardware that has patents and copyright, so long as when I buy it I'm free to do what I want with it without undue surveillance from corporations or government.

So yes, I guess the hardware isn't open, but all the software/firmware on can be (for example the RK3288 [3]) (of course with the exception of the GPU).

1. https://libreboot.org/faq.html#intelme

2. https://libreboot.org/faq.html#amd

3. https://libreboot.org/docs/hardware/c201.html