This has to be a joke? Like this has to be some kind of joke the developers of a million dollar company really can't be this stupid to not have an idea on how to punish players for leaving M+ dungeon groups???
They are saying well well if if if we let you kick people you will just invite your friends!..........These guys really cannot be this stupid to think the only alternative to people leaving is to add people in? They are thinking strictly on how to benefit the keyholder and the other individuals rather then to punish the person that actually left.
If you come up with a system so that people get punished severely for leaving WHILE THE TIMER IS ACTIVE then you will have A SIGNIFICANT drop in the amount of people leaving. Not the final solution no but definitely an appropriate medium-long term fix for a detrimental game mechanic.
EXAMPLE: If you leave a M+ dungeon while the timer is active you will get a debuff for double the amount of the time of the timer you left at. This debuff instantly breaks your armor and applies a Coward Sickness(exact same as resurection sickness) to you. Enjoy the 400g repair bill and not being able to play your toon for 20minutes-1hr
That whole Q&A shined light to me of how stupid these developers actually are, not even stupid but how ignorant to not only what the players need to be happy but what the game needs to prosper and be enjoyable long term.
/rant end