"Ejecting" or "safely removing" USB drives has been a long-standing practice to ensure that data transfers from the drive to your computer are complete and that it's safe to physically disconnect the device. While it may seem like an unnecessary step, it serves several important purposes:

1. Data Integrity: When you write data to a USB drive, it often goes through a buffer or cache before being permanently stored. Ejecting the drive ensures that all data in the cache is written to the drive. If you unplug the USB drive without ejecting it, there's a small chance that data still in the cache may not get written, potentially leading to data corruption or loss.

2. File System Protection: Ejecting a USB drive also marks the file system as "clean." This is important because it prevents file system errors and corruption that can occur when you abruptly remove a drive. A corrupted file system can make your data inaccessible or lead to data loss.

3. Device Safety: Ejecting a USB drive is a way of telling your operating system that you're done with the device and it can now be safely powered down. This reduces wear and tear on the drive and can prolong its lifespan.

4. Consistency: Consistently ejecting drives helps you build good habits. While modern operating systems are more robust and better at handling abrupt removals, it's still a best practice to eject drives properly.

However, it's worth noting that some modern operating systems, like Windows and macOS, have become more forgiving when it comes to ejecting USB drives. They use write-caching policies that minimize the risk of data loss during unplugging. Still, it's a good habit to continue safely ejecting your USB drives to ensure data integrity, especially when dealing with critical or important data.

In conclusion, while it might seem like an extra step, safely ejecting USB drives is a good practice to protect your data and the longevity of your devices.