The extension Honey, owned by PayPal, has faced significant backlash in recent months, resulting in approximately 7 million users abandoning the app on Google Chrome alone. A newly released video from MegaLag details ongoing concerns about Honey's practices, particularly regarding its impact on small businesses and user data privacy.
One major allegation is that Honey has been scraping private coupon codes and distributing them without consent, while also refusing to remove these codes unless businesses establish a direct partnership. Additionally, the video highlights that Honey collects extensive user data, including browsing behaviors and timestamps, which raises security concerns. Amazon previously issued a warning to its customers about potential risks associated with using Honey, specifically noting the extension’s collection of personal shopping habits.
As Honey grapples with these allegations, it has prompted discussions about the ethical implications of its practices, leading to policy changes from Google addressing the issues raised. The video serves as a continuation of the scrutiny surrounding Honey, questioning its transparency and accountability in handling user information.