Nah, for system stuff that updates via Google Play, it's always been like that. Like Android System Webview for example, if you search Google Play for it you only see the Beta and Developer versions of it. You need a direct link to see the default one included with modern Android.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.webview
You can't search for it. You have to open a direct link.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.safetycore
Using ADB:
adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.safetycore
If you have Shizuku and aShell/ShizuShell installed, then just run this command in aShell:
pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.safetycore
Alternatively, for a GUI method, setup Shizuku and then use an app like Hail or Ice Box
You can freeze using ADB/Shizuku as well. No root needed.
Don't need something the size of AWS these days. I ran one on my PC last week. But yeah, you're right otherwise.