It is reducing the number of supported configurations that need to be tested, which reduces the cost of shipping software updates. It seems to go hand in hand with making the root filesystem read-only. Users tend to be happy when their system is reliable.

Perhaps this is incrementally progressing towards constant security updates like Chrome has had for some time.

> Users tend to be happy when their system is reliable.

Reliability is only one axis. Focus too much on one aspect, and increasingly fewer people will be happy.

Security is another.

If the last week has been any indicator, this property of software product value is very hard to provide and its value greatly underestimated.

I don't think that reducing the number of ways to do the same thing is at all what people mean by "locking down a platform."

Speaking purely as personal opinion, the difference is “lockdown” -> they care; reducing options -> they don’t care.

The effect is similar, unless you’re trying to find away around it.

Ok so you’re technically correct.

Most users do not care.

How is sitting on social media ranting about such things productive?

This is how corporate works. Do something different politically if it matters.