Architect's Guide

Oct 2, 2026 · Information Security

Is a Code Backdoor Illegal? From Payment Time-Bombs to Ken Thompson's Compiler Hack

The article examines whether intentionally leaving a backdoor in code is illegal through three Zhihu answers: a developer's time-bomb to secure payment, a security expert's legal analysis that China punishes misuse not existence, and Ken Thompson's compiler-level backdoor demonstrating supply-chain threats.