Yeah, this is just trading the possible need to open after installing for needing to close the app I wanted to use later. I see it as trading one click for two swipes.
Do you say this about all QoL updates? I'm not going to use this and also think Google sucks in general, but this is such a benign, optional little feature for people who might find it more convenient. Isn't that what development should be all about?
I'm not sure why these comments are so negative so far. If I'm understanding the article correctly, it is an optional setting to automatically open the app as soon as it is done installing. The Play Store isn't just installing and opening apps on its own.
Just like auto updates is a feature I turn off, and yet I still get automatic app updates (and I set all network use options to "ask", and it never does).
I've had the same problem across multiple phones since about 2015.