BuddyPress.org

In v3.0.0, we changed the activation procedure because security clients can scan and follow links in emails, causing the user’s account to be activated unintentionally. To address this issue, account activation now requires the user to do a form submission.

We’re looking to improve the activation email content to make this clear in v3.2.0.

If you want to avoid the activation process entirely, there used to be an auto-activation plugin, but it might be outdated. Haven’t tested it in awhile.