This is an example of personal boundaries.
This person is doing exactly what one ought to do, controlling one’s own behavior only.
In this instance, this person is choosing to delete:
and conceivably refrain from engaging further on your Observations. That they chose to explain their reasoning provides you notification that your Observations are being returned to Needs ID and also that they do not wish to engage further.
That is their right, and it sounds like Staff determined it does not violate iNat’s rules, correct?
Nobody here is obligated to identify for anyone else, nor is anyone required to leave their identifications somewhere. Furthermore we are told to politely ask people not to engage with us rather than using blocking, etc.
They are doing this because:
That is your right. You do not have to cease, because as you note,
Both behaviors are within the rules of iNaturalist.
But just as they are only making decisions regarding their own behavior, you can also only make decisions regarding your own behavior.
It is frustrating, I know. As Jason astutely and succinctly noted,
but ultimately we each can only control ourselves, within the iNaturalist rules. Boundaries are personal. The boundaries someone chooses might not be the ones I would choose or you would choose, but they are allowed to choose them.
Hopefully people here can go attend to your “Needs ID” Observations and you can dismiss any more thought about this particular Identifier.