User Profiles

I thought the whole idea behind user profiles is to let users know a little bit about the person responding to their question/issue (i.e. background, qualifications, experience, etc.). That's what a dictionary defines as a "profile". Now I find my profile is only accessible to myself. I was told a change was made "to simplify privacy and security, so profiles now mainly serve as a personal space for managing your own activity and preferences." That just doesn't fit with the definition.

If the information contained in a profile is to sensitive or personal for public viewing then it doesn't belong in a profile anyway.

Please re-instate public viewing of user profiles.