Opt-in, at least. You got it if you want it (with an extra install and several gigs of storage use), and it takes up no extra space if you, like me, prefer not to use it.

They should rename the project to Audashitty.

I mean as long as the license stays open it can just be forked again, can it not? Not super knowledgeable about these things

Embrace Extend Excliensh
Embrace by buying audacity
Extend by adding so much feature that it is better then forks before the merger in everyway
Excliensh by enshiification, add ai, ads, clouds, buyable features etc