Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Proton Mail discloses activist IP address to police

2026-03-19T02:22:17Z

STiKyt: Began making a separate incident page, needs finishing

{{Stub}}

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Proton
|StartDate=2021-09-06
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Proton Mail
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy, Legal Intimidation
|Description=ProtonMail logged and disclosed a user's IP under Swiss court order in Sept 2021, prompting policy clarifications and criticism
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
In early September 2021, Swiss authorities obtained a court order that resulted in Proton logging the IP address and device information for a particular Proton Mail account.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lomas |first=Natasha |last2=Dillet |first2=Romain |date=6 September 2021 |title=ProtonMail logged IP address of French activist after order by Swiss authorities |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/06/protonmail-logged-ip-address-of-french-activist-after-order-by-swiss-authorities/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906115002/https://techcrunch.com/2021/09/06/protonmail-logged-ip-address-of-french-activist-after-order-by-swiss-authorities/ |archive-date=6 September 2021 |access-date=2026-03-19 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref> That connection data was provided to investigators and was reported to have contributed to identification in the related investigation and an arrest involving an activist associated with protests in France.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bateman |first=Tom |date=2021-09-07 |title=ProtonMail criticised for passing arrested French climate activist's IP address to police |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/09/07/protonmail-criticised-for-passing-arrested-french-climate-activist-s-ip-address-to-police |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907144956/https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/09/07/protonmail-criticised-for-passing-arrested-french-climate-activist-s-ip-address-to-police |archive-date=2021-09-07 |access-date=2026-03-19 |work=Euro News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bode |first=Karl |date=2021-09-07 |title=ProtonMail Under Fire For Sharing ClActivist Data With French Authorities |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/protonmail-under-fire-for-sharing-clactivist-data-with-french-authorities/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129191946/https://www.vice.com/en/article/protonmail-under-fire-for-sharing-clactivist-data-with-french-authorities/ |archive-date=29 January 2025 |access-date=2026-03-19 |work=Vice}}</ref>

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Proton Mail discloses activist IP address to police

2026-03-19T01:56:52Z

STiKyt: Created the page

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Proton
|StartDate=2021-09-06
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Proton Mail
|ArticleType=Service
|Type=Privacy, Legal Intimidation
|Description=ProtonMail logged and disclosed a user's IP under Swiss court order in Sept 2021, prompting policy clarifications and criticism
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

IFTTT

2026-03-19T01:32:00Z

STiKyt: Clarified on "features that were gutted", and rephrased it to be more neutral, added proper citations

{{CompanyCargo
|Description=
|Founded=2010
|Industry=Computing, Software
|Logo=IFTTT logo.svg
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Private
|Website=https://ifttt.com
}}
[[wikipedia:IFTTT|'''IFTTT''']] is a simple automation tool and company founded by Linden Tibbets, Jesse Tane, and Alexander Tibbets in December 2010. In June 2012, the service entered the [[Internet of things]] market by integrating with [[Wemo|Belkin Wemo]] devices.
==Consumer impact summary==
Initially, revenue for IFTTT came from platform partners who wanted their products included to the service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-11-02 |title=IFTTT Opens Partner Platform; Introduces Applets |url=https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/ifttt-opens-partner-platform-introduces-160000560.html |website=Yahoo Finance |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250701115755/https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/ifttt-opens-partner-platform-introduces-160000560.html |archive-date=1 Jul 2025}}</ref> In 2020, the company transitioned to a subscription model, limiting the custom applets of non-paying users.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlton |first=Alistair |date=2020-09-10 |title=IFTTT is no longer free for many users: What new Pro subscription means for your smart home |url=https://www.gearbrain.com/ifttt-pro-subscription-service-explained-2647566439.html |website=Gearbrain |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212132226/https://www.gearbrain.com/ifttt-pro-subscription-service-explained-2647566439.html |archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref> As time went on, non-paying users progressively lost features, premium users had to contend with price hikes, and valuable features such as Twitter Applets were significantly limited.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Ben |date=17 May 2023 |title=IFTTT to pull Twitter applets for free users, add more restrictions |url=https://www.techhive.com/article/1921036/ifttt-to-pull-twitter-applets-for-free-users-add-more-restrictions.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517185450/https://www.techhive.com/article/1921036/ifttt-to-pull-twitter-applets-for-free-users-add-more-restrictions.html |archive-date=May 17, 2023 |access-date=2026-03-19 |work=TechHive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2023 |title=Updates to IFTTT free tier |url=https://ifttt.com/explore/updates-to-free-tier-2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517190026/https://ifttt.com/explore/updates-to-free-tier-2023 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |access-date=2026-03-19 |website=IFTTT}}</ref>
==Incidents==
===Discontinued Legacy plan===
{{Main|IFTTT discontinued Legacy plan}}
In 2023, IFTTT announced changes to its subscription model. Legacy Pro plans were phased out, and users were migrated to a new "Pro+" plan. This change meant higher subscription costs, even for those who had subscribed under the ''lifetime"'' pricing guarantee.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:IFTTT]]

Brave browser

2026-03-18T11:10:08Z

STiKyt: Added ProductCargo description

{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=
|Company=Brave Software
|Description=Free and open source web browser based on Chromium, privacy focused by design with a built-in ad-blocker and cryptocurrency rewards program.
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=Brave logo.svg
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2016
|Website=https://brave.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Brave (web browser)|Brave}}''' is a free and open source web browser based on [[Chromium]].<ref name=":0">Brave browser source code https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/</ref> Privacy focused by design, it comes equipped with a dedicated ad-blocker<ref>Brave rust based ad blocker source code https://github.com/brave/adblock-rust</ref> that operates independently from the Chromium codebase and is therefore not subject to [https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Chromium#Manifest_V3 Google's WebExtension update].

Launched in 2016 by Brave Software, the company's business model is primarily based on ad revenue generated through its [https://brave.com/fr/brave-rewards/ Brave Rewards Program]. More broadly, it leverages its own cryptocurrency, [https://basicattentiontoken.org/ Basic Attention Token (BAT)]. By opting into the Brave Rewards program, users receive occasional ad notifications on their desktop and have the option to donate BAT tokens to verified publishers, such as website owners and online creators.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):
===User Freedom===
===User Privacy===
===Business Model===
===Market Control===

==Incidents==

===Affiliated links in the address bar===
''Main Article:'' [[Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar]]

In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the URL 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc. Brave's founder and CEO, [[wikipedia:Brendan_Eich|Brendan Eich]], apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake'. The fix was shipped in stable release v1.9.80 on June 8, 2020.

===Unverified publishers and BAT Tips===
Before 2020, the Brave Rewards panel misled users by not clearly indicating whether the content creator they intended to tip was a verified publisher and, therefore, able to receive the BAT sent to them. This led users to believe that the publishers they tipped had received the funds, even if they had not.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Eich |first=Brendan |date=2020-06-06 |title=We made a mistake, we're correcting: Brave default autocompletes verbatim "binance.us" in address bar to add an affiliate code. |url=https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

While Brave claims that all BAT purchased by users is held indefinitely until claimed by the publisher, this does not necessarily apply to BAT acquired through other means, such as promotional tokens gifted by Brave.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=cryptonator1337 |date=2020-06-06 |title=So when you are using the @brave browser and type in "binance.us" you end up getting redirected to "binance.us/en?ref=35089877" - I see what you did there mates |url=https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

Following the controversy, an update was implemented to clearly indicate in Brave whether a publisher was unaffiliated with the platform. Initially, tips sent to unverified creators were returned to the user after 90 days if unclaimed. This policy was later changed to completely prevent users from tipping unverified creators.<ref name=":0" />



==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[DuckDuckGo Browser|DuckDuckGo Browser]]
*[[Google Chrome]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category: Web Browsers]]
[[Category: Brave Software]]

Brave browser

2026-03-18T11:07:02Z

STiKyt: Added the main article link, rephrased the incident description with additional details

{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=
|Company=Brave Software
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=Brave logo.svg
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2016
|Website=https://brave.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Brave (web browser)|Brave}}''' is a free and open source web browser based on [[Chromium]].<ref name=":0">Brave browser source code https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/</ref> Privacy focused by design, it comes equipped with a dedicated ad-blocker<ref>Brave rust based ad blocker source code https://github.com/brave/adblock-rust</ref> that operates independently from the Chromium codebase and is therefore not subject to [https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Chromium#Manifest_V3 Google's WebExtension update].

Launched in 2016 by Brave Software, the company's business model is primarily based on ad revenue generated through its [https://brave.com/fr/brave-rewards/ Brave Rewards Program]. More broadly, it leverages its own cryptocurrency, [https://basicattentiontoken.org/ Basic Attention Token (BAT)]. By opting into the Brave Rewards program, users receive occasional ad notifications on their desktop and have the option to donate BAT tokens to verified publishers, such as website owners and online creators.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):
===User Freedom===
===User Privacy===
===Business Model===
===Market Control===

==Incidents==

===Affiliated links in the address bar===
''Main Article:'' [[Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar]]

In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the URL 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc. Brave's founder and CEO, [[wikipedia:Brendan_Eich|Brendan Eich]], apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake'. The fix was shipped in stable release v1.9.80 on June 8, 2020.

===Unverified publishers and BAT Tips===
Before 2020, the Brave Rewards panel misled users by not clearly indicating whether the content creator they intended to tip was a verified publisher and, therefore, able to receive the BAT sent to them. This led users to believe that the publishers they tipped had received the funds, even if they had not.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Eich |first=Brendan |date=2020-06-06 |title=We made a mistake, we're correcting: Brave default autocompletes verbatim "binance.us" in address bar to add an affiliate code. |url=https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

While Brave claims that all BAT purchased by users is held indefinitely until claimed by the publisher, this does not necessarily apply to BAT acquired through other means, such as promotional tokens gifted by Brave.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=cryptonator1337 |date=2020-06-06 |title=So when you are using the @brave browser and type in "binance.us" you end up getting redirected to "binance.us/en?ref=35089877" - I see what you did there mates |url=https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

Following the controversy, an update was implemented to clearly indicate in Brave whether a publisher was unaffiliated with the platform. Initially, tips sent to unverified creators were returned to the user after 90 days if unclaimed. This policy was later changed to completely prevent users from tipping unverified creators.<ref name=":0" />



==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[DuckDuckGo Browser|DuckDuckGo Browser]]
*[[Google Chrome]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category: Web Browsers]]
[[Category: Brave Software]]

Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar

2026-03-18T10:48:56Z

STiKyt:

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Brave Software
|StartDate=2020-06-06
|EndDate=2020-06-08
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Brave browser
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=False Advertising, Privacy
|Description=Brave silently injected affiliate referral codes into address bar URL suggestions without user consent
}}

==Incident==
In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the URL 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CR1337 |date=2020-06-06 |title=So when you are using the @brave browser and type in "binance[.]us" you end up getting redirected to "binance[.]us/en?ref=35089877" - I see what you did there mates |url=https://x.com/CR1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

===Brave Software's response===
The issue was later addressed publicly by Brave's founder and CEO, [[wikipedia:Brendan_Eich|Brendan Eich]], who apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake', stating that "autocomplete should not add any code" and that the lack of disclosure was "the big problem".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eich |first=Brendan |date=2020-06-06 |title=We made a mistake, we're correcting: Brave default autocompletes verbatim "binance.us" in address bar to add an affiliate code. |url=https://x.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

The fix was shipped two days after the original incident, in stable release v1.9.80 on June 8, 2020, which set "Show Brave suggested sites in autocomplete suggestions" to off by default.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-08 |title=Release Channel v1.9.80 |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610221250/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |archive-date=2020-06-10 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=GitHub}}</ref>

The following day, Brave published a blog post with an apology, stating their intention was to offer an "alternative completion is an affiliate-coded URL for a specific Ledger product, which the user is free to select or ignore".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-09 |title=On Partner Referral Codes in Brave Suggested Sites |url=https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416011108/https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |archive-date=2024-04-16 |access-date=2026-03-18 |work=Brave Blog: Company News}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Web Browsers]]
[[Category: Brave Software]]

Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar

2026-03-18T10:47:29Z

STiKyt: Fixed categories

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Brave Software
|StartDate=2020-06-06
|EndDate=2020-06-08
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Brave browser
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=False Advertising, Privacy
|Description=Brave silently injected affiliate referral codes into address bar URL suggestions without user consent
}}

==Incident==
In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the URL 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CR1337 |date=2020-06-06 |title=So when you are using the @brave browser and type in "binance[.]us" you end up getting redirected to "binance[.]us/en?ref=35089877" - I see what you did there mates |url=https://x.com/CR1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

===Brave Software's response===
The issue was later addressed publicly by Brave's founder and CEO, [[wikipedia:Brendan_Eich|Brendan Eich]], who apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake', stating that "autocomplete should not add any code" and that the lack of disclosure was "the big problem". <ref>{{Cite web |last=Eich |first=Brendan |date=2020-06-06 |title=We made a mistake, we're correcting: Brave default autocompletes verbatim "binance.us" in address bar to add an affiliate code. |url=https://x.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

The fix was shipped two days after the original incident, in stable release v1.9.80 on June 8, 2020, which set "Show Brave suggested sites in autocomplete suggestions" to off by default.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-08 |title=Release Channel v1.9.80 |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610221250/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |archive-date=2020-06-10 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=GitHub}}</ref>

The following day, Brave published a blog post with an apology, stating their intention was to offer an "alternative completion is an affiliate-coded URL for a specific Ledger product, which the user is free to select or ignore".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-09 |title=On Partner Referral Codes in Brave Suggested Sites |url=https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416011108/https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |archive-date=2024-04-16 |access-date=2026-03-18 |work=Brave Blog: Company News}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category: Web Browsers]]
[[Category: Brave Software]]

Brave browser

2026-03-18T10:46:46Z

STiKyt: Removed the categories from ProductCargo and moved them to the bottom as seen in other pages

{{ProductCargo
|ArticleType=
|Company=Brave Software
|Description=
|InProduction=Yes
|Logo=Brave logo.svg
|ProductLine=
|ReleaseYear=2016
|Website=https://brave.com/
}}
'''{{wplink|Brave (web browser)|Brave}}''' is a free and open source web browser based on [[Chromium]].<ref name=":0">Brave browser source code https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/</ref> Privacy focused by design, it comes equipped with a dedicated ad-blocker<ref>Brave rust based ad blocker source code https://github.com/brave/adblock-rust</ref> that operates independently from the Chromium codebase and is therefore not subject to [https://wiki.rossmanngroup.com/wiki/Chromium#Manifest_V3 Google's WebExtension update].

Launched in 2016 by Brave Software, the company's business model is primarily based on ad revenue generated through its [https://brave.com/fr/brave-rewards/ Brave Rewards Program]. More broadly, it leverages its own cryptocurrency, [https://basicattentiontoken.org/ Basic Attention Token (BAT)]. By opting into the Brave Rewards program, users receive occasional ad notifications on their desktop and have the option to donate BAT tokens to verified publishers, such as website owners and online creators.

==Consumer impact summary==
{{Incomplete section}}

Overview of concerns that arise from the conduct towards users of the product (if applicable):
===User Freedom===
===User Privacy===
===Business Model===
===Market Control===

==Incidents==

===Affiliated links in the address bar===
In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the url 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc.<ref name=":1">Twitter thread from 6 June 2020 by @cryptonator1337 addressing the binance referral code injection https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496</ref>

The issue was later addressed publicly by Brave's founder and CEO, {{wplink|Brendan Eich}}, who apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake'.<ref name=":2">Brendan Eich apologizing for the affiliated links issue on twitter https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201</ref>

===Unverified publishers and BAT Tips===
Before 2020, the Brave Rewards panel misled users by not clearly indicating whether the content creator they intended to tip was a verified publisher and, therefore, able to receive the BAT sent to them. This led users to believe that the publishers they tipped had received the funds, even if they had not.<ref name=":2" />

While Brave claims that all BAT purchased by users is held indefinitely until claimed by the publisher, this does not necessarily apply to BAT acquired through other means, such as promotional tokens gifted by Brave.<ref name=":1" />

Following the controversy, an update was implemented to clearly indicate in Brave whether a publisher was unaffiliated with the platform. Initially, tips sent to unverified creators were returned to the user after 90 days if unclaimed. This policy was later changed to completely prevent users from tipping unverified creators.<ref name=":0" />



==See also==
*[[Chromium]]
*[[Firefox]]
*[[DuckDuckGo Browser|DuckDuckGo Browser]]
*[[Google Chrome]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category: Web Browsers]]
[[Category: Brave Software]]

Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar

2026-03-18T10:38:14Z

STiKyt: Created incident page

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Brave Software
|StartDate=2020-06-06
|EndDate=2020-06-08
|Status=Resolved
|Product=Brave browser
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=False Advertising, Privacy
|Description=Brave silently injected affiliate referral codes into address bar URL suggestions without user consent
}}

==Incident==
In June 2020, it was discovered that when users typed 'binance.us' into the address bar, they were suggested the URL 'binance.us/en?ref=35089877', which included a referral code for Brave Software, Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |last=CR1337 |date=2020-06-06 |title=So when you are using the @brave browser and type in "binance[.]us" you end up getting redirected to "binance[.]us/en?ref=35089877" - I see what you did there mates |url=https://x.com/CR1337/status/1269201480105578496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606164737/https://twitter.com/cryptonator1337/status/1269201480105578496 |archive-date=2020-06-06 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

===Brave Software's response===
The issue was later addressed publicly by Brave's founder and CEO, [[wikipedia:Brendan_Eich|Brendan Eich]], who apologized and referred to the incident as a 'mistake', stating that "autocomplete should not add any code" and that the lack of disclosure was "the big problem". <ref>{{Cite web |last=Eich |first=Brendan |date=2020-06-06 |title=We made a mistake, we're correcting: Brave default autocompletes verbatim "binance.us" in address bar to add an affiliate code. |url=https://x.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040411/https://twitter.com/BrendanEich/status/1269313200127795201 |archive-date=2020-07-01 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=Twitter}}</ref>

The fix was shipped two days after the original incident, in stable release v1.9.80 on June 8, 2020, which set "Show Brave suggested sites in autocomplete suggestions" to off by default.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-08 |title=Release Channel v1.9.80 |url=https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610221250/https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/releases/tag/v1.9.80 |archive-date=2020-06-10 |access-date=2026-03-18 |website=GitHub}}</ref>

The following day, Brave published a blog post with an apology, stating their intention was to offer an "alternative completion is an affiliate-coded URL for a specific Ledger product, which the user is free to select or ignore".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-09 |title=On Partner Referral Codes in Brave Suggested Sites |url=https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416011108/https://brave.com/blog/referral-codes-in-suggested-sites/ |archive-date=2024-04-16 |access-date=2026-03-18 |work=Brave Blog: Company News}}</ref>
==References==
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Brave puts affiliated links in the address bar

2026-03-18T09:41:44Z

STiKyt: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Brave Software |StartDate=2020-06-06 |EndDate=2020-06-08 |Status=Resolved |Product=Brave browser |ArticleType=Product |Type=False Advertising, Privacy |Description=Brave silently injected affiliate referral codes into address bar URL suggestions without user consent }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-ComR}} ==Lawsuit== {{Ph-I-L}} ==Consumer response== {{Ph-I-..."