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Unique API keys give you application-level identity. But for SaaS platforms, the real chaos comes from users. We dive into the pros and cons of using end-user IDs for abuse monitoring, cost attribution, and the significant privacy risks you must navigate.

Reusing a single API key across multiple applications seems efficient, but it creates a nightmare for observability, rate limiting, and security. This post breaks down why this common anti-pattern is so dangerous and why unique keys are essential for robust systems.