As with many things there's a spectrum from intentional malice to not being paid to care to not even considering it.

I think especially in laptops not having that feature is really missed by even a lot of "normal people" and the necessary hardware would cost what, a couple dollars max?

I think the fact that other methods (WiFi direct, Bluetooth file sharing, etc) are so poorly or slowly supported, when the "how do I get this file to you?" question is so common, is evidence enough to suggest that there have been a number of conversations following this form at various companies.
"Let's support WiFi direct".
"Why would anyone want that when they have onedrive/icloud? wink nudge"

I am pleased to hear it's coming with USB 4 however. Maybe the sneakernet isn't dead afterall.