Re: Paranoia?
It could easily work with an internal key in the CPU that intel needs to counter-sign to activate a feature, that can easily be done a) offline so "phone home" component, and b) with zero danger if the key leaks because it will only activate the feature for that one particular chip.
Of course Intel's private key that signs all these things would be prime target for leaks/espionnage!
Biting the hand that feeds IT
