i doubt the policy has changed, it's just that they don't enforce it as much, i guess since they own the MLL lounges there's not a direct cost to AC as to when *G goes into a * lounge

i'm not familiar with the policy for employees, i know a friend of mine who works at CX gets no lounge access even when he's in J with the industry rate, maybe they just conveniently allow all passengers with J BP in so friends and family who get upgraded on industry fares can have lounge access?