It's the right of each user to redact their contributions. If that's the only bargaining tool then it seems entirely reasonable to use it when the other party refuses to negotiate or even be remotely transparent about their motives. If this was really about money then why do we have such little insight into their financials? Could it be that they fleeced the investors and will lie as hard as they can to not be outed for the crooks that they are? It's the most likely explanation from my perspective.

There's no reason to prop them up. The information will be rebuilt quickly or it won't.