I wasn't aware of that. Unfortunately Android apps have no such restriction [0] and don't require any special permissions [0]. That iOS 7 change is likely along the same vein as Apple's addition of MAC randomisation: trying to disrupt such tracking.

I'd wish Google to follow suit, but let's be frank: Tracking people is Google's bread and butter. They're more likely to sell MAC addresses to advertisers than they are to randomise or otherwise restrict access to them.

[0] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/6064510/how-to-get-ip-ad...

It does appear to require permissions, as documented in that answer. Apparently it only needs INTERNET[0], which could qualify as "don't require any special permissions" as you say. INTERNET is disappointingly broad.

[0] https://stackoverflow.com/questions/16127263/networkinterfac...