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To be fair to hue, the REST JSON API to the local hub is well documented by Philips and you can disable it contacting its cloud infrastructure via this API (and many apps) if you wish - all without hacks.

In your self-righteous rush, you neglected to consider whether or not the base station would function without being able to talk to the web.

It does so.

Again, it's optional. It does not have to talk to the internet, but the option is there for people that want features requiring it.