[riskpreneurship]

You would probably make more money if you were any good at gray/black hat stuff. Further, if you were less blatantly evil than this individual, you'd probably be able to finagle a slap on the wrist followed by a stable career in civilian street if/when you got busted.

One of the things that you learn as you grow older is that you can't be successful and have a conscience at the same time in this world. Software developers are fortunate enough to be able to scrape out a comfortable existence without stooping too far, but don't kid yourself: the large TechCos that sign our paychecks and buy our startups are not paragons of virtue.

[jacquesm]

Slight problem though: a slap on the wrist is still a criminal record, and if you're unlucky your 'slap on the wrist' may end up being a much harsher sentence and if you piss off the wrong person other kinds of retribution.

Large TechCos can - for now - not be jailed but you can and you will, see TFA.

Less blatantly evil doesn't mean you're going to walk away free, besides, you'll be a blackmail target for life.

Oh, and it is quite possible to both be successful and to have a working conscience.