Comment by SoftTalker
3 hours ago
> a way for customer support to more easily help people
This is my guess. People don't like it when a device they have turns into a brick of e-waste because they can't remember their password. So most consumer devices have either a "reset to defaults" feature or a hidden support password. Even enterprise routers and switches often have this.
> So most consumer devices have either a "reset to defaults" feature or a hidden support password.
One of those is sensible, and one is not. Put a recessed "hold to reset" button on the device, problem solved, no backdoor required or desired.