I don’t think you ever used akismet. I don’t think you ever read what they wrote on their website. I don’t think that you really wanted to know whats behind it.

Point by Point:

>> Trust or not?
You allow people to post feedbacks on your website. If Automattic was interested in reading user feedbacks, it googled for it. (Think about it)

>> the thing with the “DDOS” and the “queue”…
I was using akismet for years never had any situation like the one described above. Sorry.

>> Speed & stuff
Ok, honestly, akismet does slow down the post process _a bit_. But filling out stupid captchas does the same (ok, akismet does not help people to train their brain cells and eyes. Sorry for that).

>> “no idea how it works”
Yes, like everyone who does not read the f. manual. They’ve even got a handy FAQ on their site, very simple to understand.

>> “spoof akismet and trick you”
Yeah, of course he can.

>> “in theory”
Automattic only provides the API, what you do in your code is your business. Disable the query in the source if you don’t want it.

>> “spelling error”
Yeah, I hope these pseudo-spelling error don’t keep you spending whole night awake in bed. If they do so, you could go on akismet’s Website and read the f. FAQ (and be shocked by the knowledge you get in less than 5 seconds; ah yeah, the wisdom that “automattically” isn’t misspelled as well.)
You’re not serious.

>> “auth”
Please don’t make automattic responsible for your security problems.

Greetings
jeko