Please post this in every thread about Apple and Google.
I agree, so we should rag on them.
Android isn't as bad as windows. There is no requirement to sign in to a google account for android. I simply installed f-droid and continued using my phone. There are some improvements that could be made, the calendar app requires a google account which is annoying and arguably the play store should allow installing free apps without an account.
The OP isn't justifying the policy (you can decide whether it's justified), merely explaining one reason why a vendor would want to do it. Then providing examples of other vendors doing it.
The OP is attempting to justify the policy when they say "it's not ridiculous". Obviously, it is ridiculous.
Oh, I can think of many reasons why vendors would want to do it. But that doesn't make it less ridiculous from the perspective of everyone else.