I think the reality lies in the post that mentions HR.
The manager/leader has been told not to communicate—HR will handje it. So they aren’t allowed.
And then HR dropped the ball.

Anonymous wrote:Because they are busy as hell and nothing that isn't 100% necessary gets done.

Well, I think that's the problem... closing the loop is seen as "unnecessary."

Any decent employer/recruiter/HR representative will get back to a candidate eventually. Outright ghosting is unprofessional.

The answer to OP's question is that a lot of people simply don't do their jobs.

Nobody is authorized to say anything. We all think HR has to tell you, and HR will say they're not the decision maker.

Because our managers ignore our emails asking for the ok to tell you anything

Because they are busy as hell and nothing that isn't 100% necessary gets done.

I'm in Virginia state government and our HR handles all communications with all candidates except for when the hiring manager is extending a verbal offer to a chosen candidate.

explain why you would just ghost a candidate instead of sending a quick e-mail stating literally anything??