I think that HiTech himself explained how the auto ack worked. Something like it is programmed to hit in a random area of a box around its target. The faster the target the larger the box.
I think a lot has to do with the game play and abuse aspect of how players use and attack fleets and maybe strats (the latter I believe is just an elevated risk level for attacking high profile targets, ie strats).
Although, I am so feeling the same way about avoiding the stuff, it is just another one of those things like lancstukas, spawn camping, tool shedding, etc... that exists because no better solution for their removal has hit the developers.