Google pulled the plug on old Nest thermostats, but not the data mine (Update: Statement)

TL;DR

• Google shut off remote control functionality in first- and second-generation Nest thermostats in October.
• After the downgrade, security researcher Cody Kociemba created a solution to bring these old Nest devices back online.
• Through the project, Kociemba learned that these thermostats are still sending Google data, despite the company ending support.