They as in google?

This happened in a few stages:

Rollout of the new release (Jan 8 or so; I got it maybe Jan 16?)

Folks showed you could get the old update (I don't recall specifics) and block the OTA URLs (developer settings I think?) to prevent re-update.

Google decided to make it harder to get the old firmware.

I couldn't be arsed to wipe my phone, so am just living with the new shitty future for now.

First they have to wait for the maximum number of people to buy new phones.