Why account balances and transactions are visible (not private) to other users on the steemit platform ?

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Many platforms and blockchains have a transparent transaction system, where if someone has your address they can look up your wallet and all your recent transactions. This allows users to make sure they aren't getting scammed by the developer, or by a potential trader. Having a public transaction system solves more problems then it creates, such as allowing users to verify what they're told someone has, prove they sent transactions, and just general browsing. 

Steemit is a platform where this is mandatory, and you have to have a public transactions wallet to be a part of the platform. But Steem itself is also optional. If you don't like how it works, you can leave.