Title is self explanatory. For background, I am currently running Asahi Linux on my M1 MBP. Whenever I connected the hotspot without data being turned on, it somehow still worked like any regular wifi. I even ran several updates in the system and downloaded multiple apps in this wifi, which I find it amusing. But out of curiosity, I wanted to know from you guys that what could the reason be for this.

EDIT: So after following the advice of jet@hackertalks.com, I relized that the hotspot is using the network of my University's Wi-Fi, which explains why the hotspot worked even with the data turned off.