> If "automatic updates" were optional and off-by-default then users would not be vulnerable to something like SimpleMobileTools
The problem is the vast majority of users want this on by default; they don't want to be bothered with looking at every update and deciding if they should update or not.
Why not let the user decide
Letting someone else decide has potential consequences
Using F-Droid app ("automatic updates") is optional, as it should be
"Automatic updates" is another way of saying "allow somone else to remotely install software on this computer"
Some computer owners might not want that. It's their decision to make
I disable internet access to all apps by default, including system apps
When source code is provided I can remove internet access before compilation
Anyway, the entire OS is "user-hostile" requiring constant vigilance
It's controlled by an online ad services company
Surveillance as a business