Okay? So don't use it, use a managed service like Google Photos, Apple Photos, Dropbox, etc where your photos and files might be arbitrarily removed or your access to them limited while they are scanned for disavowed content.
You can also just use a secure transport layer (like WireGuard or a VPN) instead of relying on every project to implement end-to-end encryption.
What you're describing is not "broken", it's the process and it appears it hasn't even failed for you.
My experience with getting a verified "business" developer account from Google mirrors the experience as getting one from Apple, except it's a one-time fee and much less than Apple.
Yes there are hoops to jump through, identification usually requires some hoops, but pretty it's straightforward. I am not commenting on the requirements of these hoops, yes, it's BS that they exist but it's their platform so it's their rules.
What type of "experience" are you expecting to have anyway?
I login/unlock my password manager maybe...a dozen times a week and that would be a high count when I'm doing "business" and logging in for financial things.
This is a pretty interesting claim...I have a few C110 and C200 that work just fine offline after null routing them.
You may need to enable RTSP (https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/faq/2680/) to get a feed off them directly, it works fine in Frigate and any other viewer that can consume RTSP.
I am not defending TP-Link, but it's a pretty big claim for you to say their devices don't work offline and will immediately power down, without any supporting technical evidence.