I mean, the argument could be made that if it wasn’t for these safeguards, everyone and your dog would be hacking the GPs camera.

I do agree the safeguards are only there out of liability concerns, nothing more.

But maybe it would be worse without them.

Agreed. Attackers use any means (inc. abliteration, fine-tuned security models, etc) to find exploits and only have to be successful once. Defenders don't have the same time and motivation, so neutered models put defenders at a disadvantage.