I have noticed this also using the FBW A320 and MSFS 2020 ATC. The 3 flights that I have made since the latest update ATC stopped clearing me to climb at 7400 ft. I was flying between KDFW and KDEN. My flight plan called for a cruising level of 360. I ignored ATC and climbed to FL360 anyway. But this was after waiting almost 20 minutes to be cleared higher. Then ATC bugged me during my whole flight to expedite my descent to 7400 ft. I really wish Asobo/MS would allow 3rd parties to fix not only the ATC but the weather. For me the weather is always wrong.