As far as I'm aware iOS doesn't require permission for clipboard access either. Up until Q a background service on Android could constantly monitor the clipboard however.
Not knowing the underlying architecture, but would it be hard to give each app its own virtual clipboard that only the UI has access to (paste)? And does IOS already account for this? Daily it seems as though I'm reconsidering Lineage. While I like the flexibility of Android I feel as though there are still too many obtuse protections missing.