I was at Facebook right after the Onavo acquisition, and it kinda changed my views on humanity. I knew a couple of the engineers and they were nice, kind, genuine people. They knew what Onavo was doing was wrong. They also didn't let it bother them. I don't know how to describe it; It was just a job. I don't think I could ever have "just a job". I know someone's got to be the repo man, and I'd hope that they act with dignity and empathy - And an appropriate level of disgust when they're faced with people actually trying to game the system. But it's clear that standards vary wildly, and plenty of people just don't care.

I also have coworker who worked for Luminati. He's aware of just how gray the area is, and I think he worked to make it better, but I definitely get the sense that he's glad he's no longer working on something so sketchy.

I recognize how privileged I am to never have faced the choice of "Sketchy work or Starve", but I wonder what is wrong with our system that these are able to prosper as long as they are. A healthy skepticism would serve us all well. Onavo would never have gotten away with it with just a little skepticism; Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware.