Cloud symbol next to apps & offloading apps

Had prepared ipod for a trip with podcasts etc. Upon arriving noticed most apps had cloud symbol and couldn't load apps or data. Wondering who is the brainiac at Apple who decided to come up with a feature that randomly deletes your apps without you opting in to this incredibly bad idea. I went to settings and turned the offload unused apps off but the damage is done.

Apple must assume you have a dedicated T1 internet connection on a long cord that is permanently attached to your device. Just deeply stupid in so many ways... just absolutely no common sense at Apple anymore.