Realizing that I couldn't be uninstalling this many updates, I checked Play Services and found 'my' settings had been altered to Auto Update - something I always explicitly deactivate with no exceptions. I don't want disruptive updates or stupid apps, at least half or more of which are unused, unwanted and non-removable. Unfortunately, the many such apps had now been auto updated.
There's no reason to pedantically remind me of encyclopedic user agreements and voluminous terms. I know. But is there any recourse in fighting this, beyond not using Android?
Regardless of technicalities, it's intrusive and plain wrong to invade and disrupt my personal workspace. It's pretty obvious that Google considered the legalities here by activating auto updates only over wifi. Otherwise it would be an FCC issue.
On Pixel there's GrapheneOS.