They met and were in the same area. No one forced them to do anything together. One of the players could have moved to a different location if they wanted. It’s not forced. That would require actually grouping up and forming a in game group, not just happened to be in the same area accomplishing the same objectives.
I know this may seem like a semantic argument, but being forced to do things together seems completely different to me than happening to be in the same are as others.
I never claimed it wouldn’t be a problem for those that want to be 100% alone. That is where you and others who wish for that to suggest private modes. Offline will not happen.