This has been my reality since Comcast announced that awful data cap. I have to juggle streaming TV/movies, video game patches, and various cloud backups just to make sure we don't go over. This is at a house with just two adults that are at work 10+ hours a day. I throttle my TV's connection speed, think twice about sharing files from home->work computer, defer security patches on software, etc.
Even with auto-updates turned off, the PS4 will download patches when in rest mode. I used to love renting games at Redbox, but the rise of huge patches makes that impossible. I rented the Modern Warfare remaster thinking it was an old game and would mostly work out of the box. I was shocked to see it try to download a 40 GB patch. I canceled the download and played the game without the patch and returned the game the next day (it's not a remaster; they re-made everything and it stinks). The next day, I turned on my PS4 to see it had downloaded and installed the patch without me. 5% of my data cap, gone.
i know right?! i have have two kids and they are constantly streaming stuff off disney, nick jr, and pbs apps. i wish there was a way to cache locally the stuff they just watch over and over so i'm not getting hit over and over. Also, all the instant on streaming ads! i know its probably a small amount but what if that is what pushes me over. I'm probably going to switch to centurylink soon.
Even with auto-updates turned off, the PS4 will download patches when in rest mode. I used to love renting games at Redbox, but the rise of huge patches makes that impossible. I rented the Modern Warfare remaster thinking it was an old game and would mostly work out of the box. I was shocked to see it try to download a 40 GB patch. I canceled the download and played the game without the patch and returned the game the next day (it's not a remaster; they re-made everything and it stinks). The next day, I turned on my PS4 to see it had downloaded and installed the patch without me. 5% of my data cap, gone.
An aside, I stumbled across https://physicalgames.wordpress.com/ps4-update-sizes/ a few months ago and like to reference it before making any purchases. Fallout 74 is a hard pass for me.