6 ms·

Brave still works with ublock origin but every month or so they pull a windows and some new Brave feature I don’t want gets turned on or featured in some way.

by qwerpy 2y ago

Brave still works with ublock origin but every month or so they pull a windows and some new Brave feature I don’t want gets turned on or featured in some way. I wonder how long they’ll maintain manifest v2 compatibility. Once they throw in the towel, Firefox will truly be the last stand.

triyambakam 2y ago
I never see ads with default Brave. I was under the impression that uBlock was obviated by Brave.
- yannis 2y ago
  Have been using it for a long time. I am very happy with it.
jemmyw 2y ago
What new features? I've been using it for years and it's been very steady, I've switched off their wallet and that's it.
- panarky 2y ago
  Automatically inserting affiliate links into URLs when users visit certain e-commerce websites. Integration of Web3 features, including cryptocurrency wallets and NFT support. Inclusion of Brave News and sponsored images on the new tab page. Addition of a VPN service within the browser. Feels very scammy and grifty for a project that's supposedly about user privacy.
  - arcticbull 2y ago
    It was always just a crypto grift.
  - chillingeffect 2y ago
    1. Sleazy 2. Weird but not evil 3. 100% acceptable 4. Good, maybe. What vpn?
    - Technetium 2y ago
      4. No, it is not good. "Brave appears to install VPN Services without user consent" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37932754 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37932754
  - somenameforme 2y ago
    #1 existed for literally 24 hours and was clearly a stupid idea. #2 opt-in only. #3 agreed. annoying. can opt out. #4 opt-in only. #5 disagreed.
    - CharlieDigital 2y ago
      Broken trust, even if only 24h.
    - notsylver 2y ago
      opt-in but afaik they still show up in places unless you disable them
    - philistine 2y ago
      Has Brave advertised those opt-in features on first launch forcing a choice? Cause that is scammy if they did.
      - skeaker 2y ago
        Not a Brave user but I have managed it at a workplace before. Far as I recall they show a wallet button at the top right near the extensions button and show crypto trading rates alongside the weather on the default new tab page. Disabling the wallet icon could be done with a right click and a left click, and the new tab page could be customized in settings to show less stuff pretty easily. Might be different now.
  - jemmyw 2y ago
    > Automatically inserting affiliate links into URLs when users visit certain e-commerce websites. Happened before I even started using it, and I've been using it for a long while now. Probably time to let this one go? > Integration of Web3 features, including cryptocurrency wallets and NFT support. That's not a new feature, it's been in there since I started using it, and it's off by default and then easily hidden. It didn't turn up one day turned on. > Inclusion of Brave News and sponsored images on the new tab page. Yeah I'll give you this one. I've turned this off... I mean they're developing free to use software, so I feel bad about it. I'd probably pay for Brave at this point, but I don't want to see ads ever. At least it's easy to turn off. > Addition of a VPN service within the browser. I think this one is fine? I used it once when I was staying at a hotel, it was easy to use, other than that it's just hidden.
porridgeraisin 2y ago
Brave does not need ublock origin, and brave adblock is independent of manifest v2/3. They implement compatible features in the browser itself.
- esperent 2y ago
  Can you create your own filters, or subscribe to filter lists with Brave's ad blocker? If not then it's in no way a replacement for uBlock.
  - sunshowers 2y ago
    No fan of Brave here, but you can, yeah.
    - esperent 2y ago
      Are you sure? I just installed it on Android and can't find anything about lists in the settings. Tried searching and I can't find anything about subscribing to lists on desktop either, only a few discussions about the default set of lists they use.
      - somenameforme 2y ago
        Assuming it's the same as on desktop, go to settings->shields->content filters. They have a bunch of default filter lists you can subscribe to or you can add your own. You can also create your own custom filter rules. You can also do it semi-automatically by right clicking (no idea the equivalent on mobile) on an element in a page and there will be a "Block Elements" option that does a pretty decent job of wildcard blocking the element group you selected, and can be configured pretty easily with the popup.
        esperent 2y ago
        Oh it works! That's great, thank you.
      - 2y ago
pbhjpbhj 2y ago
How long will Firefox take to fall? Until Google tells the lawyer who runs Mozilla that they'll stop sponsoring her if she doesn't fall in line?
- rciorba 2y ago
  Firefox has such a small slice of the browser market, that I doubt Google will bother.
  - pbhjpbhj 2y ago
    It has long been argued that the reason Google pay to support Firefox (by being default browser) is to keep it around and so avoid being treated as a monopoly. That seems reasonable. Though now a bribe to Trump/Musk should be enough so maybe they don't need FF anymore.
  - account42 2y ago
    You mean Google won't bother paying them anymore? You don't think Google is spending all that money for nothing, do you?
- Anamon 2y ago
  Google make up a significant part of Mozilla's income, but Firefox development doesn't make up a similarly significant part of Mozilla's expenses. They could keep browser development going without issue even if Google ditches them.
tripplyons 2y ago
I stopped trusting Brave after they launched a crypto token and started replacing affiliate codes in URLs.
- maineagetter 2y ago
  There seem to be a handful of anti-Bravers in this thread, and is it too much to hope they’d do 5 minutes of research? https://np.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/nw7et2/deleted_by_user/h1ffs7l/ https://np.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/nw7et2/delete...
  - graynk 2y ago
    I mean, I initially installed it on mobile to get rid of the ads, and then eventually deleted it, after it started showing me ads on the main page. I also think that their whole original "ad replacement" scheme (https://archive.is/W0k4j https://archive.is/W0k4j) is complete BS and pretty telling. But sure, let us do 5 minutes of research! So, this referral code injection was a mistake (that their CEO had to apologize for https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-affiliate-links-crypto-privacy-ceo-apology https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-aff...) Then there was the "donations for content creators" debacle, where they started gathering donations for various YouTubers, without.. actually talking to those YouTubers. But using their names and faces to promote the whole thing: https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011529/https://twitter.com/tomscott/status/1076160979388518407 https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011529/https://twitter.c... Apparently, the original idea was that you could "contribute to any website you visit. The idea was that once a site reached a threshold, the potential owner would be notified. They could then authenticate (prove ownership, etc) and claim the donations." (https://old.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/1e9i5ls/how_true_are_the_following_allegations_against/lefu93b/ https://old.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/1e9i5ls/how_...), which is mind boggling to me that somebody actually thought it's a good idea. Anyway, they had to apologize for it, after hearing "important feedback": https://brave.com/blog/rewards-update/ https://brave.com/blog/rewards-update/ They have also installed VPNs onto users machines without asking: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/brave-is-installing-vpn-services-without-user-consent https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/brave-is-installing-vpn-se... I don't think they apologized for that one... But they did revert the decision. Then there's Brave News, Brave Wallet, Brave Rewards, which is just completely unnecessary bloat IMO. You _can_ turn some of it off, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth though.
resoluteteeth 2y ago
> I wonder how long they’ll maintain manifest v2 compatibility. https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/ https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/ They are going to keep it enabled until google removes the code from chromium in June. Then it sounds like they are going to try to use other means to offer "limited MV2 support" but there are some issues, including the fact that they don't have their own extension store (and presumably the chrome one won't allow mv2 extensions to be updated) so I'm not sure to what degree that will actually work.
- YetAnotherNick 2y ago
  Also maintaining a browser fork is not work to be taken lightly specially if it touches such core and security critical functionality like extensions.
cautious-fly 2y ago
The massive amount of online features Brave has (just have a look at all the toggles in settings) makes me wonder whether this has been exploited in the wild at all.

by qwerpy 2y ago

triyambakam 2y ago

I never see ads with default Brave. I was under the impression that uBlock was obviated by Brave.

yannis 2y ago
Have been using it for a long time. I am very happy with it.

jemmyw 2y ago

What new features? I've been using it for years and it's been very steady, I've switched off their wallet and that's it.

panarky 2y ago
Automatically inserting affiliate links into URLs when users visit certain e-commerce websites. Integration of Web3 features, including cryptocurrency wallets and NFT support. Inclusion of Brave News and sponsored images on the new tab page. Addition of a VPN service within the browser. Feels very scammy and grifty for a project that's supposedly about user privacy.
- arcticbull 2y ago
  It was always just a crypto grift.
- chillingeffect 2y ago
  1. Sleazy 2. Weird but not evil 3. 100% acceptable 4. Good, maybe. What vpn?
  - Technetium 2y ago
    4. No, it is not good. "Brave appears to install VPN Services without user consent" https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37932754 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37932754
- somenameforme 2y ago
  #1 existed for literally 24 hours and was clearly a stupid idea. #2 opt-in only. #3 agreed. annoying. can opt out. #4 opt-in only. #5 disagreed.
  - CharlieDigital 2y ago
    Broken trust, even if only 24h.
  - notsylver 2y ago
    opt-in but afaik they still show up in places unless you disable them
  - philistine 2y ago
    Has Brave advertised those opt-in features on first launch forcing a choice? Cause that is scammy if they did.
    - skeaker 2y ago
      Not a Brave user but I have managed it at a workplace before. Far as I recall they show a wallet button at the top right near the extensions button and show crypto trading rates alongside the weather on the default new tab page. Disabling the wallet icon could be done with a right click and a left click, and the new tab page could be customized in settings to show less stuff pretty easily. Might be different now.
- jemmyw 2y ago
  > Automatically inserting affiliate links into URLs when users visit certain e-commerce websites. Happened before I even started using it, and I've been using it for a long while now. Probably time to let this one go? > Integration of Web3 features, including cryptocurrency wallets and NFT support. That's not a new feature, it's been in there since I started using it, and it's off by default and then easily hidden. It didn't turn up one day turned on. > Inclusion of Brave News and sponsored images on the new tab page. Yeah I'll give you this one. I've turned this off... I mean they're developing free to use software, so I feel bad about it. I'd probably pay for Brave at this point, but I don't want to see ads ever. At least it's easy to turn off. > Addition of a VPN service within the browser. I think this one is fine? I used it once when I was staying at a hotel, it was easy to use, other than that it's just hidden.

porridgeraisin 2y ago

Brave does not need ublock origin, and brave adblock is independent of manifest v2/3. They implement compatible features in the browser itself.

esperent 2y ago
Can you create your own filters, or subscribe to filter lists with Brave's ad blocker? If not then it's in no way a replacement for uBlock.
- sunshowers 2y ago
  No fan of Brave here, but you can, yeah.
  - esperent 2y ago
    Are you sure? I just installed it on Android and can't find anything about lists in the settings. Tried searching and I can't find anything about subscribing to lists on desktop either, only a few discussions about the default set of lists they use.
    - somenameforme 2y ago
      Assuming it's the same as on desktop, go to settings->shields->content filters. They have a bunch of default filter lists you can subscribe to or you can add your own. You can also create your own custom filter rules. You can also do it semi-automatically by right clicking (no idea the equivalent on mobile) on an element in a page and there will be a "Block Elements" option that does a pretty decent job of wildcard blocking the element group you selected, and can be configured pretty easily with the popup.
      - esperent 2y ago
        Oh it works! That's great, thank you.
    - 2y ago

pbhjpbhj 2y ago

How long will Firefox take to fall? Until Google tells the lawyer who runs Mozilla that they'll stop sponsoring her if she doesn't fall in line?

rciorba 2y ago
Firefox has such a small slice of the browser market, that I doubt Google will bother.
- pbhjpbhj 2y ago
  It has long been argued that the reason Google pay to support Firefox (by being default browser) is to keep it around and so avoid being treated as a monopoly. That seems reasonable. Though now a bribe to Trump/Musk should be enough so maybe they don't need FF anymore.
- account42 2y ago
  You mean Google won't bother paying them anymore? You don't think Google is spending all that money for nothing, do you?
Anamon 2y ago
Google make up a significant part of Mozilla's income, but Firefox development doesn't make up a similarly significant part of Mozilla's expenses. They could keep browser development going without issue even if Google ditches them.

tripplyons 2y ago

I stopped trusting Brave after they launched a crypto token and started replacing affiliate codes in URLs.

maineagetter 2y ago
There seem to be a handful of anti-Bravers in this thread, and is it too much to hope they’d do 5 minutes of research? https://np.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/nw7et2/deleted_by_user/h1ffs7l/ https://np.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/nw7et2/delete...
- graynk 2y ago
  I mean, I initially installed it on mobile to get rid of the ads, and then eventually deleted it, after it started showing me ads on the main page. I also think that their whole original "ad replacement" scheme (https://archive.is/W0k4j https://archive.is/W0k4j) is complete BS and pretty telling. But sure, let us do 5 minutes of research! So, this referral code injection was a mistake (that their CEO had to apologize for https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-affiliate-links-crypto-privacy-ceo-apology https://www.theverge.com/2020/6/8/21283769/brave-browser-aff...) Then there was the "donations for content creators" debacle, where they started gathering donations for various YouTubers, without.. actually talking to those YouTubers. But using their names and faces to promote the whole thing: https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011529/https://twitter.com/tomscott/status/1076160979388518407 https://web.archive.org/web/20181224011529/https://twitter.c... Apparently, the original idea was that you could "contribute to any website you visit. The idea was that once a site reached a threshold, the potential owner would be notified. They could then authenticate (prove ownership, etc) and claim the donations." (https://old.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/1e9i5ls/how_true_are_the_following_allegations_against/lefu93b/ https://old.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/1e9i5ls/how_...), which is mind boggling to me that somebody actually thought it's a good idea. Anyway, they had to apologize for it, after hearing "important feedback": https://brave.com/blog/rewards-update/ https://brave.com/blog/rewards-update/ They have also installed VPNs onto users machines without asking: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/brave-is-installing-vpn-services-without-user-consent https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/brave-is-installing-vpn-se... I don't think they apologized for that one... But they did revert the decision. Then there's Brave News, Brave Wallet, Brave Rewards, which is just completely unnecessary bloat IMO. You _can_ turn some of it off, still leaves a bad taste in my mouth though.

resoluteteeth 2y ago

> I wonder how long they’ll maintain manifest v2 compatibility. https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/ https://brave.com/blog/brave-shields-manifest-v3/ They are going to keep it enabled until google removes the code from chromium in June. Then it sounds like they are going to try to use other means to offer "limited MV2 support" but there are some issues, including the fact that they don't have their own extension store (and presumably the chrome one won't allow mv2 extensions to be updated) so I'm not sure to what degree that will actually work.

YetAnotherNick 2y ago
Also maintaining a browser fork is not work to be taken lightly specially if it touches such core and security critical functionality like extensions.

cautious-fly 2y ago

The massive amount of online features Brave has (just have a look at all the toggles in settings) makes me wonder whether this has been exploited in the wild at all.