I think we're talking about two different things here.
(a) An editor (program) automatically applying tags to an object. This is bad, because we don't know whether the mapper has specifically verified this, or whether it's just being assumed and may be false.
(b) Tags on an area that specify defaults for objects within the area, to be processed by the end-user who downloads the OSM data. This could be good. For example, in Florida, whether bicycles are allowed on sidewalks is a matter for the local government to decide. So it would be useful to specify that footway=sidewalk implies bicycle=no inside city limits, unless otherwise overridden by a tag on the sidewalk way. And you could still set bicycle=no on the ways if you want.
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