Which is perfect for creating "spying platform".

Doesn't matter. All that matters is if someone can be made to think it matters, enough to pay for access to whatever information it is.

I feel like HN folks often look for underlying meaning, a structure or purpose through which transactions like this can contribute to greater progress in line with the promise of capitalism. But that's only true when channeled by the constraints of rule systems, which aren't a given.

In the absence of other meaning, it doesn't matter what the 10k user information is. That userbase can still be cannibalized if there's somebody who can be fooled into thinking that act is useful/profitable. Rules saying 'this sort of destructive community-pillaging will cost you more than you gain' aren't necessarily there.

In the absence of them, you don't need to prove harming the 10k community will be profitable over the long or even short term: you only have to find somebody with money who can be persuaded they'll benefit, even if that's not true. If they think that, then you definitely can benefit from selling out the community. You can know it's a doomed exploit, but if you get paid, you're out of it by the time the truth comes out.

I remember reading blog posts from browser extension maintainers, at least 3 or 4 times, who spoke out about regularly being approached by shady buyers for exactly that reason. Unless they were all making things up, I'd say it may indeed be something that is happening. I don't remember the sources, but I guess you're capable of using a search engine too.

The Great Suspender:

https://github.com/greatsuspender/thegreatsuspender/issues/1...