Just to clarify, this is not an Ionic-specific issue: It's a Cordova plugin maintained by Ionic, so it will affect all apps using the plugin, including Meteor-Cordova and PhoneGap apps. The fix is the same for everyone: update the plugin!

It's installed by default on all Ionic apps, so it's safe to say a majority of Ionic apps will be affected by it.

Nobody else wants to do what they are doing. They are removing a native control that's built into the keyboard (above it actually), probably to put in their own custom one I'm guessing. While apps are getting rejected because of accessing a private API to remove it, I think an even better reason to reject these apps is because users expect to have the native keyboard accessory be part of the keyboard control.