- Honey lost 3 million Chrome users after uncovering questionable practices
- The extension has been criticized for tracking user data without sufficient notice
- PayPal, the owner of Honey, is facing pressure to improve transparency and privacy
Honey, a browser extension that automatically finds and applies discount coupons when shopping online, has recently come under fire for its user tracking practices. The extension was found to collect extensive data about users' shopping behavior, including websites visited, products searched for, and even personal information without informing the user sufficiently.
After publishing this informationmacThere has been a massive user churn. In a short period of time, the Honey extension has lost approximately 3 million Chrome users. This drop is significant, especially considering that Honey was previously one of the most popular tools of its kind with millions of active users worldwide.
PayPal Honey has lost 3 million users since my video went live...😬
@paypal @honey pic.twitter.com/4enqlfRG84
— MegaLag (@MegaLagOfficial) December 30, 2024
PayPal's response
PayPal, which has owned Honey since 2020, has faced increasing pressure to improve transparency and protect user privacy. In response to the criticism, PayPal said it takes user concerns seriously and plans to make changes to its privacy policy to ensure users are better informed and consent to data collection.
This situation points to a broader problem in the browser extension ecosystem, where many tools collect data without users' knowledge. Experts warn that users should be careful when installing extensions and read the terms of use carefully to protect their privacy.
For users looking for alternatives to Honey, there are several other extensions offering similar features, such as RetailMeNot, Rakuten, or Coupons.com. However, it is important to review their privacy policy to ensure that they respect user privacy.
Have you heard about the @paypal Honey Scam? It's what put me over the edge about dealing with PayPal as a customer. Come on! Except, they make it very hard to cancel your account in violation of FTC regulations!#Honey #ScamAlert pic.twitter.com/FVi7rRPtcd
— Fudmottin (@Fudmottin) January 4, 2025
The future of Honey extensions
Honey's future depends on how quickly and effectively the company can respond to user concerns and restore their trust. Transparency, clear communication and respect for privacy will be key to maintaining and regaining the user base.
The case of the Honey extension serves as a reminder to all Internet users about the importance of protecting their privacy and carefully considering what tools and extensions they use when shopping online.
