Recently it was found that Qwen was dialing back home once in a while. It cannot be proven that it does not take commands from home if it can establish connection.
Did you read the details of that incident? It was a nothing sandwich.
I think the root of the difference between us is that you are scared of their fascists, and I am scared of ours. Both are reasonable things, but only one of us can actually do anything about it.
With local models you decide how the firewall works. If you don't want it to internet, don't let it.
With US models you get whatever they say you do, and pay whatever they demand.