Because the information was intended for use by educational institutions.
I’m in two minds about the alleged secrecy of the tool and the right for colleges to use the tool. Airlines don’t tell the public about the tools they use right now to jack up prices for single travelers. All kinds of businesses don’t disclose how they learn about their buyers. We can choose not to buy if we don’t like the price, or if we don’t like what they don’t tell us.
Colleges are still businesses at the end of the day. They have to ensure their survival. An instate kid applying to Michigan perhaps has a right to know how U Mich is making admissions decisions, but an OOS applicant? Why? There are plenty of other colleges to apply to. It’s not like a student from NY has to get into U Michigan, or else they have no other college option.
I don’t see anything wrong with Landscape, but it’s gone now. I am sure colleges will still find a way to get diversity if they seek it. It’s really the students in those underfunded schools who are losing out.