Yes but I think the systems flawed.
There are 3 options.
1. Always ask for a NOPE
2. Ask for a NOPE only if you have one
3. NEVER ask for a NOPE
The last option is useless as per your turn-based reasoning. Folk can take cards from you unchallenged even if you have a NOPE.
I think most folk have the "only if" option ticked which allows a player to "Fish" for NOPE cards using any card before playing a Steal combo
I have concluded the first option to always ask for a NOPE is the best way to go but its annoying as it constantly requires interaction.
You shouldnt have to click "dont play NOPE" when you dont actually have a NOPE, but its the only way to conceal whether you have one or not.
In a 2 player game (ARENA at the moment) there is no need for any NOPE use prompts. A simple timer to allow the opponent to NOPE if they want to or can would be better.
Similarly the same can be done for multi-player.
So essentially, remove the "ask for NOPE timer" and just add in a timer. Probably adds in an extra duration to a game though.
I think its important that you can conceal whether you have NOPE cards from your opponent and can wait to use them for whatever NOPE you want.
This would be more in line with the dynamics of playing a physical game.
This obviously only applies to real-time games.
For Turn based there's no option I suppose.