[throwaway298477]

> wouldn't that imply that it's their job to clarify the nebulous spec?

Maybe, except when you try to clarify and their answer is that it's open-ended -- and yet they want something super specific in the end. And the super specific things are just one of many tech opinions and not objectively good design.

> FWIW, many of the FAANGs are famous for asking intentionally underspecified questions, and the candidate preparing properly by figuring out what's in scope and what's not is part of the scoring.

Why is this a good thing though? Why is solving riddles in a professional interview somehow ok?