When authors ignore established facts of the universe they're writing for (vulgo "the canon"), they're most likely either lazy or ignorant or arrogant. I read quotes about Star Wars lacking "strong female figures" before Disney (cough, Mon Mothma, cough Leia) and someone even mentioned that the Klingons got redesigned in STD because of their original skin color. (But why not just using some other colors is beside me.)
In all cases it's fraud. You claim to write a story inside a complex established universe but deliver something that just superficially uses some assets and then just does its own thing. Then just develop your own universe, ffs!
If you want to write Star Trek or Star Wars or whatever, adhere to the canon and stay within the established constraints. If you feel that the canon constrains your creativity too much, go find some other playground.