I can understand where the reputation comes from - spammers and trolls will do everything they can to shit all over everything. Maybe this isn't the best way to address that problem, but I definitely understand the desire.

I run a forum for a very specific model of RV, and fucking spammers came in so often that I shut off registration and register everyone manually after they send me an email. It raises the bar just enough. Every now and then someone will whine about it, and I'm like, I hear you but this is much easier than cleaning the mess the spammers always leave.