A computer program knowingly installed by the owner of the device, functioning to the expected specifications of the owner of the device, is just called software.

For me, whether it respects users privacy is where I’d draw the line, but I see your point.

Defining low privacy software as malware is to redefine malware. I also don’t really understand the issue with MDM at work. Aside from the fact that MDM is not necessarily a privacy infringing feature (depending on how you configure it), why would expect privacy on a work device? You should be conducting your personal business on your own devices (and not just because of MDM).

I don't know how you feel about somebody else secretly watching your screen without telling you, but I think that's something I would not be ok with, even if I don't conduct personal business on the device.

Apart from that, there are plenty of companies requiring you to install their MDM profile on your personal device if you want to read corporate emails on it (guess how I know).