Maybe it's "Authored" vs. "Emergent"

[Satinavian]

Added comments in green

I'm not sure I believe you.
- Ambushes happening outside the players' control, forcing them into a scenario. That is just you playing NPCs. As long as you don't force your players into the ambush.
- NPCs lying, causing the PCs to make the wrong choice. The difference between NPCs lying to your PC and you lying to players was explained several times in this thread.
- NPCs being wrong, causing the PCs to make the wrong choice. Same goes for NPCs being wrong
- In order to get information, you must talk to a specific NPC. Depends on why you do it. Because of plausibility ? I would do so. To get the PCs to talk to a specific NPC ? I would not.
- MacGuffin is found in a specific location. I do that. But then I don't force my players to actually try to get it. It is just there .
- Event happens in a specific location, maybe in a specific time (Ew...) Not necessarily a problem as discussed in the whole "non static sandbox" sidetrack.
- Hostile enemies will fight to the death, and will not surrender or be talked down (Undead are a great example). That is just you playing NPCs.
- Certain security measures can only be bypassed through a specific sequence (especially magical defenses). That is something i don't do. Stuff might be suppossed to work a specific way but if PCs come op with other solutions using the magic system or worldbuilding that is fine.
- Passphrases; If you don't know the passphrase, several choices will be barred from you. That is you putting DCs and playing NPCs.
- You can't disguise yourself as a Guard if you aren't wearing a Guard uniform. Obviously. That is you putting DCs and playing NPCs
- The secret society have these tokens. You should probably get one before you continue. That is you putting DCs and playing NPCs
- Hostile spellcasters have Dispel Magic and Counterspell to stop you from doing things. That is you building and playing NPCs
- Escort a person or object to Point B. That is a quest. Which the players are not forced to accept or try to complete.

Your examples have little to do with you wrote earlier.

Because I have fixed locations, with many fixed scenarios - some of which do have fixed solutions (e.g; You do need the magical key to open the magical door. That's just how this works.) I do have fixed locations but not fixed scenarios or fixed solutions. I shatter my players' meaningful agency by giving them false information. I never lie to my players or give them false information. I do let NPCs do to the PCs. I shatter my players' agency, in general, by placing them into events they don't want to be in and have to find a way out of. That is a wide field but fields to forceful and railroady for what i ever do. I introduce 'rails' in to my 'sandbox' almost all the time And i don't.

I hope you see the differences.