[Transfinity]

Not technically forced since it's not mandatory that update, but not updating is not a viable strategy for most users. If you want new OS features or security patches, or apps that rely on those features, or if you buy a new device, then you don't have an option. Eventually everyone will have this update.

So the article is "correct", but not really in a useful way.

OTOH, this is more a natural side effect of how software development works than any malicious intent on Apple's part. Letting users opt into specific OS patches would be a maintaince / security nightmare.