I mean how else? I just started a virtual private server up (chose hetzner for this), secured it as best I can, setup cloudflare for it to proxy the IP for security through obscurity, and used the lemmy easy deploy script by ubergeek77 on GitHub; If you want a more detailed guide that will take more time
It's likely the manufacturer sending them out to get some data - or reviewers getting their hands on them to do the same
That does seem to be the prevailing attitude in Wisconsin
I use the lemmy-easy-deploy script on a hetzner vps - they have servers in ashburn which is the location im using - cant recommend lemmy easy deploy enough - here is a link: https://github.com/ubergeek77/Lemmy-Easy-Deploy
Probably
Nah from what I know of history and I could be wrong about some details - there was a significant portion of our population that were nazi sympathizers among other things - I figure that might be a big reason why it was never truly dealt with
I suppose but that depends on if they actually do anything about it or if this is just performative