Typically, smart thermostats only limit you like this if you've opted into an energy-saving program. Nest calls it Rush Hour Rewards, and they literally pay you through rebates to sign up. I learned this with my last thermostat, so we just didn't enroll the new one. We have full control over our thermostat.
@Legal_Fil Really interesting splits in that survey. Suggests to me that most people are supporting/opposing on a tribal basis rather than on principle.