I'm not happy
This decision actually decreases security; it certainly doesn't increase it. Why? I share an access point with others who could have all sorts of worms and nasties on their devices; hence, I want to be able to edit the Friends list.
So, Avast's response to this is "Tough!"; a move which I assume you've made in order to reduce your support costs.
Seriously, this decision smacks of arrogance. This is in addition to the fact that version 17 reset my firewall application rules without any prompt whatsoever.
It's been almost 6 years but this bad marriage has to end.