This seems to be more power to the user, not sure how it is more power to google other than them enforcing it, which they already have power to do because of ownership of the de facto app store.
Exactly.
Many apps don’t let their icon be themed because muh brand identity.
This is enforcing using choice, so if a user enables the Themed Icons setting they can be sure every app installed will follow it.
This seems to be more power to the user, not sure how it is more power to google other than them enforcing it, which they already have power to do because of ownership of the de facto app store.
Exactly.
Many apps don’t let their icon be themed because muh brand identity.
This is enforcing using choice, so if a user enables the Themed Icons setting they can be sure every app installed will follow it.