Form a German perspective, that was a pretty close call. As the article states, in places like Germany, double opt-in (or an equivalent) is mandated by the app

Form a German perspective, that was a pretty close call. As the article states, in places like Germany, double opt-in (or an equivalent) is mandated by the application of German (or even EU?) law. If they had really gone through, they would have put their German users into a legally vulnerable position. The rudeness of meddling with customers' settings notwithstanding, this kind of lapse is inexcusable from a company specialising in mailinglist delivery.