HappiLabs interview questions

I had three interviews. Two were over the phone, and one was in person. The interviews all took place over the span of 4 weeks. After the third interview, they told me they would let me know by the end of the month (3-week wait time). They told me they were pausing hiring a couple weeks after my third interview. I inquired about a part-time position, and they asked for references, only to again be told that they were not focusing on hiring. Yet, a few weeks after telling me this, they hired a couple of new people and posted the position on their website again. I would've preferred being told that I was not selected rather than strung along for weeks.