Are you naive? It literally is called the "Automated notification tool" from the company. You dont think the company will try to use this on pilots as a way to reschedule? Its the exact reason why in the email they said its optional and pilots can continue to use the CBA approved method of notification thats spelled out in our CBA.

Is it positive contact per the CBA. Nope.
But neither is ACARS yet scheduling tries to do that all of the time and many pilots fall for it and take the bait. This is no different.

What do you think is going to happen when you get rescheduled via the app, you ignore it, you miss the trip, and they NOI you. Sure you are in the right but you'll have to follow up and fight it with the CP office/union. And for what? Because you wanted an app that serves no direct benefit to 99% of our time at work?

I just cant for the life of me understand why anyone would want crew scheduling to have more access to them.

This type of platform should be discussed through a MOU or Section 6.