Cheating is rampant in in-person learning as well. We shouldn't be treating online learning the same as in-person learning. I took distance learning classes back in the early 00's. Some courses required proctored exams, some had open book exams. For proctored exams, I would do them in the library, then the librarian would send the test back to the school. The open book exams weren't really any easier - you were expected to know the material and therefore the tests were more challenging.

In my professional experience, GPA has little correlation with how well someone can do a job. GPA going up or down by 0.3 points really doesn't mean that much to me.