Crypto-powered privacy-focused web browser Brave has come under fire for automatically filling an affiliate link into its address bar when a user attempts to access the website for leading crypto exchange Binance and its United States-based subsidiary Binance.US.
Brave’s co-founder and chief executive, Brendan Eich, has acknowledged the “mistake,” pledging that the error will soon be corrected to remove the automatic completion of its affiliate link after the situation gained traction on crypto Twitter.
“Brave default autocompletes verbatim Binance.us in the address bar to add an affiliate code. We are a Binance affiliate, we refer users via the opt-in trading widget on the new tab page, but autocomplete should not add any code,” tweeted Eich.
Brave embroiled in affiliate link controversy
After gaining controversy on Twitter, Brave has announced it will remove a function that forcefully inserts the company’s affiliate link into its address bar when users access Binance’s website.
Eich thanked members of the crypto community for identifying the issue and providing feedback to the company, and sought to assure the community that the error will quickly be fixed.
Eich said:
“The autocomplete default was inspired by search query clientid attribution that all browsers do, but unlike keyword queries, a typed-in URL should go to the domain named, without any additions,”
“Sorry for this mistake — we are clearly not perfect, but we correct course quickly,” he added.
Prominent crypto analyst, Whale Panda, also posted that the browser has been similarly inserting affiliate links into the address of users seeking to access top U.S.-based exchange Coinbase, and leading hardware wallet manufacturers Ledger and Trezor.
Brave popularity grows
In recent days, Brave reported that its active monthly user base has exceeded 15 million — a more than 100% annual increase. Roughly one-third of Brave’s monthly users utilize the browser every day.
A recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast saw the host and guest Reggie Watts discuss internet-based operational security, with the pair advocating for Brave’s use.