Why can’t users control their discussion profiles?

We cannot say why because we are neither Apple nor moderators. However, I have been here long enough to know forum history and realte something that happened long ago before the current policy went into effect.

People were joining seemingly only to harass long-serving helpers. They would post something inappropriate and then change their username, often almost daily. Some changes even spoofed legitimate members' usernames. We lost some very talented contributors here due to those "shape-shifters."

Shortly after that ugly period, the "mods must change" policy appeared.

So, once again, a handful of jerks who cannot control themselves cost others the freedom to edit their names

All we, your fellow users, can say is it's because that's how it's built. Why Apple has decided not to allow changes made by users none of us know. If you want to change your name or delete your profile, though, we can bring your request to the attention of the Community Hosts who can do that for you. Just let us know.

Regards.