Yes that's true to a point.
The lights have little effect on the bacteria and the tank cycling process.
You will get algae period. there is no way around it.
That's like attempting to keep water from being wet, or the sun from being bright.
Its part of the tank maturing process.
Your just prolonging the inevitable from occurring by having the lights off.
There are many stages of tank maturing and becoming a healthy ecosystem.
Having your lights on through the cycling process allows the algae to grow and food for the clean up crew you will be getting soon.
Algae and the ugly stage can be managed by maintenance and clean up crews.