Are we in a "belt-tightening" cycle? Noticing that Docker and now Gitlab are reducing their super generous free tiers...
Even if those companies aren't losing revenue (they probably are), there is less investment money too, so they are still impacted.
Those things the OP is talking about are all investment, so it's natural that they get cut.
1.5% of 6m existing free tier users is 90k accounts who now need to reduce usage, pay Gitlab, or move to another platform. Only one of these options is fast!
I don't think this is the only reason they are doing this, but it does sweeten the pot.