HR screening - went OK.
Interview with hiring manager - went OK.
Technical task that I completed within the promised deadline - nearly 8 hours of free work and recommendations for their documentation.
Another interview with the hiring manager and another team member to review and discuss my work on the task - went OK, they seemed pleased with how I had approached it. I was informed that at that point, the only meeting that remained was with the CTO, and they would be in touch soon to arrange it. Meanwhile, the job posting is removed from their website.
3 weeks later, HR emails me that the hiring for the position has been put on hold and they will hopefully have an update for me within a week.
A week or so later, the job posting is back on their website.
A month later, I email HR to inquire about my application. Silence.
2 weeks later, I email the CEO to express my disappointment in the hiring process. Of course, silence.
Ghosting applicants like this is truly scummy behaviour. Also, I'm sure that they use people's free work that they require as a "technical task" for their gain.
Don't go working for them, they don't deserve you.