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Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

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21–30 of 153 posts

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#21
post #7

There are three levels of anonymity: anonymity to the general public, to Apple, and to a state-level actor. Anonymity to the general public is very easy, incorporate a company behind some of the shell corporation mumbo jumbo that any corporate lawyer can prep for you, it will cost $ but it will be easy. Anonymity from Apple could probably be pulled off by incorporating in a country with fairly weak transparency and h…

> Anonymity from a state level actor would be pretty hard.

I'd say "totally impractical/impossible for regular individuals".

As James Mickens so eloquently put it:

If your adversary is the Mossad, YOU’RE GONNA DIE AND THERE’S NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. The Mossad is not intimidated by the fact that you employ https://. If the Mossad wants your data, they’re going to use a drone to replace your cellphone with a piece of uranium that’s shaped like a cellphone, and when you die of tumors filled with tumors, they’re going to hold a press conference and say “It wasn’t us” as they wear t-shirts that say “IT WAS DEFINITELY US,” and then they’re going to buy all of your stuff at your estate sale so that they can directly look at the photos of your vacation instead of reading your insipid emails about them. -- https://www.usenix.org/system/files/1401_08-12_mickens.pdf

Some of us enjoy cosplaying extreme privacy nuts, or engaging in recreational paranoia. But don't for a minute kid yourself into believing you stand a chance against the NSA (or your jurisdiction's equivalent).

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#23

Does "turning into a real business" mean "making money"? If so, how do you expect to anonymously receive funds from the app store (or any other payment service provider). The only way you could remain (externally) anonymous and comply with all the AML/KYC and other legal, corporate and service requirements (including taxation, etc) would be to have a company with a nominee director.

You don't need a nominee director you just need the better jurisdiction. Several US states do not list directors or the names of anyone involved with the company, publicly. Some states don't have that information at all.

Not sure I’d consider anonymous corporate entities “better”…

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#25
post #7

There are three levels of anonymity: anonymity to the general public, to Apple, and to a state-level actor. Anonymity to the general public is very easy, incorporate a company behind some of the shell corporation mumbo jumbo that any corporate lawyer can prep for you, it will cost $ but it will be easy. Anonymity from Apple could probably be pulled off by incorporating in a country with fairly weak transparency and h…

Legitimate question: what benefits are there to be anonymous to the general public? Wouldn’t most people be happy to take credit for their code?

If you're a retired gentleman mostly coding for your own and your friend's use, and you've seen the trashfire that social media and the modern internet has become compared to the time before The Eternal September - back when you originally started using the internet... It's very very easy to see why you might desire anonymity before widely releasing simple utility tools.

to: developer@gmail.example.org

from: billy-joe@3rd-grade.nowheresville-elementary-schoole.edu.us

subject: FinderFix

I demand you integrate FinderFix with TikTok and Discord IMMEDIATELY - or I'll come over there and rape your family and pets!!!llII!!1!!

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#26
post #7

There are three levels of anonymity: anonymity to the general public, to Apple, and to a state-level actor. Anonymity to the general public is very easy, incorporate a company behind some of the shell corporation mumbo jumbo that any corporate lawyer can prep for you, it will cost $ but it will be easy. Anonymity from Apple could probably be pulled off by incorporating in a country with fairly weak transparency and h…

Legitimate question: what benefits are there to be anonymous to the general public? Wouldn’t most people be happy to take credit for their code?

Lots of people are horrible and when you are well-known, this translates into legions of horrible people who know who you are and see you as something to maybe bother. Anonymity should be the first choice for public-facing work, if you enjoy your life as it is and are not interested in hiring security.

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#27
If you prefer to use a pseudonym, why not just register an LLC? There are services out there that will register your company and be your registered agent in states that do not require your name ever made public (Wyoming for example). These services also provide a mailbox that would work for anything you need.

You can then get a business checking account (Mercury works well) with your newly registered business.

You can then create a business account on Apple and Google (and anywhere else).

All of the public facing information will be your company name. If you want more details or help, just ask here.

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#28
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You don't need a nominee director you just need the better jurisdiction. Several US states do not list directors or the names of anyone involved with the company, publicly. Some states don't have that information at all.

Not sure I’d consider anonymous corporate entities “better”…

Better for the intended purpose

Re: Ask HN: Is it still conceivable to remain an anonymous developer nowadays?

#30

Wait... there are "free Apple Developer Certificates"?

I'm also curious what this is. Apple wouldn't give free certificates even for open source apps! $99 to give their users free apps.

The free developer accounts don't get your apps into the iOS app store. That requires a paid up $99 developer account.

I think (but am not sure) that you can use them (for now) to sign a macOS app that you distribute from your own download somewhere, and Mac uses can download your apps and click through the "Yes, I trust apps signed with that Satoshi Nakamoto certificate" dialog and install them.

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