Well, as an application on the WL I see where you’re coming from in that it’s frustrating to have to wait longer for any potential movement. But the protocols are not rules, they are just suggestions*. Schools can choose to enforce them how they wish.
I 100% think that if those applicants had all the information to make their decisions they should make their choice on time for the sake of people on the WL. (If for example, they just got an A shortly before May 2 and had not received Aid yet or still had other factors to consider that would be more understandable).
Basically without knowing more details it’s difficult to say if the applicants who didn’t follow protocols were ‘in the wrong’ or not. In the end likely all that will happen is it will delay movement a little, hopefully by no more than several days.
*someone correct me if I’m wrong.