Proposal for backwards incompatible change to --files-from

imho, i do not think that is a good idea but it is your choice, of course

to make a change in a flag's behaviour and then after the command is processing real data, to warn them.
and the notice would be in a log file? if so, the end-user might not notice the NOTICE and may not use a log file.

reminds me of a M.A.S.H eposide.