You don’t ever HAVE to update software though. That’s just the way it’s usually done now. It’s a choice. Usually updates are made to add more features or monetization or whatever but you could just not do that.
If you look at old video games for example those were released and never updated again. They will still work today too.
It would be cool if there was open source software to link your library to your friends so you would still get new things you didn’t have coming into your list.
It could probably even use one of these fun new protocols too!