Figured it out.
For evidence that ESET mobile Security is causing these other updates, go to ESET Mobile security, Feature, Security Report. Look for "Apps Updates". ESET will brag about all the updates it pushed through.
To disable this annoyance, go to ESET Mobile security, Antivirus, and disable both "On Charger Scan" and "Scheduled Scan". AND REMEMBER you have to do you own scans after that.
Editorial comment: whether or not to update your apps should be the user's choice, not ESET's. The tablet is NOT ESET's property.