They already return different results based on the user agent header; they could easily be returning different results based on other HTTP headers, IP headers, etc.
Arguments that implicitly assume everyone receives the same data from a server are frighteningly common. This is extra strange when it happens on forums like HN that also regularly assume the same server might be A/B testing or providing "targeted" advertising - or prices - that is unique for most users.
Any discussion about data from an unknown server should always include some sort of checksum. Without verification everyone is receiving the same data, statements about a server's responses don't mean much.
Couldn't any site be sending different results based on any header? I guess I don't get how "they could easily be returning different results based on other HTTP headers, IP headers, etc" doesn't apply to literally every site
Arguments that implicitly assume everyone receives the same data from a server are frighteningly common. This is extra strange when it happens on forums like HN that also regularly assume the same server might be A/B testing or providing "targeted" advertising - or prices - that is unique for most users.
Any discussion about data from an unknown server should always include some sort of checksum. Without verification everyone is receiving the same data, statements about a server's responses don't mean much.