> So maybe we should take it up to them, and demand unlockable bootloaders, so we can modify our devices, instead of asking Google to turn a blind eye to Android exploits.

The problem is not "we" -- we are the ones who buy the unlocked devices already. The problem is that people who don't know any better end up buying millions of devices that they only later discover have unreasonable restrictions and become landfill shortly after the manufacturer stops issuing new updates (which is often immediately).

What we should be demanding is that Google not allow the Google apps to be installed on devices with a locked boot loader.