FRED API returns inconsistent realtime_start dates

[leaderanalytics]

I sent the the question below to the FRED support team. I don't expect a reply from them but in the unlikely event I get one I'll post it here.

API returns inconsistent realtime_start dates

https://api.stlouisfed.org/fred/series/release?series_id=IRA&realtime_start=1776-07-04&api_key=123&file_type=json

The query above returns three rows with the following realtime_start dates:

1996-12-12
1998-12-10
2002-05-02

Running the same query with any date after 2002-05-02 (or without specifying a realtime_start date) returns a single row with the realtime_start set to the date that is passed to the query i.e.:

https://api.stlouisfed.org/fred/series/release?series_id=IRA&realtime_start=2024-02-18&api_key=123&file_type=json

The query above returns one row with the following realtime_start date:

2024-02-18

We know from this document that "The real-time period marks when facts were true or when information was known until it changed".

Based on the results of the queries shown above it appears that the real-time start date is the real-time period when facts were true or when information was known until it changed - unless you query after such date - in which case the realtime_start is the date you query the API.

What is the purpose of reporting a date other than the correct realtime_start date when no date is passed to the query or when the supplied date is after the latest realtime_start date?