Yet if you have a smartphone you trust the manufacturer with running a microphone everywhere you go.

By that logic I can only live in Faraday's cage or not complain at all??

You can complain about banking system and be proponent of bitcoin while having a bank account and paying for goods with fiat currency.

Try putting a lav mic into your pocket or bag, and then listen how much non-muffled audio you get and how much you can understand from it.

Phones are in similar position. Assistant devices are not, they are usually in a fixed location with a unobstructed way to the environment.

Placing your phone in your pocket to record audio discreetly works great, unless you're moving a lot. When you're sitting or standing still, the audio is almost perfectly clear.

It is worth noting that human voice is not the only audio you might want to collect from an open mic. Ultrasonic beacons are not uncommon.

I agree but to be fair my phone spends a lot of time laying on a table near me.

What's life without a smartphone, tablet or laptop like these days? Are landlines still usable?

Ah yes, the good old:

"Complains about pollusion, but still breathes the air"

If they had said "I don't like allowing CORPXYZ to run a microphone in my house" or "I have an issue with ... " that would be a reasonable objection.

Instead, this is "I don't allow anything to pollute from my property, but you're welcome to join me at my nightly bonfire".

That's a good one. I need to remember it.

I've started not taking my phone anywhere with me unless I think I may need it for something (grocery shopping, for example).

mobile phones are not nearly as necessary as people seem to think, especially during covid.