Plausible deniability to the secular authorities; we don't shun people who believe differently!
That is exactly what all these changes are about. WT needs to LOOK BETTER to the secular authorities. They have "gotten their tit in a wringer" with various governments around the world and are trying to appear "normal" instead of so draconian and malicious towards those who leave.
Hopefully these changes will lead to softening by the hardliners, but hopefully the secular authorities will not be fooled if there are not REAL changes.