Ask HN: Having to waive copyright to works created/derived during an interview?

Their reasoning is probably that this will (1) prevent other companies from copying their process (such as the minutiae of their interview questions), and (2) discourage answer-sharing (on sites such as Glassdoor) and last but not least (3) discourage whistleblowing (or any other public exposure) of said techniques and processes, which -- if par for the course in this industry -- are likely to be just as half-baked, shoddy, and/or downright nutty as at anyplace else.

And to do (1)+(2)+(3) with significant muscle, i.e. ammunition to sue your pants of with, if they can catch and identify you that is.

Is it "normal"? Well it don't seem like common practice -- yet (but then again I haven't looked too closely at the fine print on the few interview "services" I've reluctantly used in the recent past).

To my ears it definitely feels invasive and creepy. But what matters is whether it's normal for you, which is entirely up to you to decide. And if it doesn't feel right -- well, it's like any other humiliation companies try to make you go through in exchange for the privilege of feeding at their table. It's tough to make the call sometimes, but fortunately (in the current climate at least) the market should be firmly on your side, by and large.