No, this isn't a conspiracy theory. Every single Intel chip after the Sandy Bridge generation has a piece of spyware nobody can remove: the Intel Management Engine. Now sure, it was technically every chip after 2008, but after Sandy Bridge, if you removed Intel ME completely, after 30 minutes, your computer will shut down.
To simply put, Intel ME is a backdoor which has network access, has control over every part of your system, operates in Ring -3, and is always turned on, even if the OS is turned off.[1]
Even if you don't belive its a backdoor that was made to comply with the feds, it is still a security vulnerability that can and be exploited, for example, Silent Bob, a vulnerability which allowed attackers to have full control and remotely control computers.[2]
Hell, even Intel admitted that ME has gigantic security problems.[3]
Not so fun fact: Various Xeons were compromised, meaning various servers where at risk, and a massive amount of personal data could've been leaked.[4]
Not to mention the DRM problems, and the other gazillion problems intel has managed to cram into their shitty backdoor.
I'm not gonna type the instructions out on how to flash a custom BIOS because I'm lazy, but if you are the lucky person to daily drive a computer with a Core 2 Duo or older, then CONGRATS! You can get your privacy back! Just flash GNU boot or CanoeBoot (or LibreBoot if you're ok with proprietary blobs) and ME is gone!
Basically, as in the start of this article, the computer will shut down after 30 minutes if ME is completely gone. That's why CanoeBoot and LibreBoot leave some of it on boot. And no, that is still not good, brochacho. If you want security, you want that shit completely gone.