alt Hacker NewsI think what they mean is not PD related at all, but the fact some cheap junk has a broken USB-C setup where it's missing the resistor that signals a device has been plugged in and to turn on the 5v power. While USB-A just have 5v live at all times.
If you use a USB-A to C cable the device works because it results in a USB-C cable with an always active 5V.
That's why I said "non-PD USB-C consumers", as such junk isn't USB-C compliant - it's just USB-C shaped.