- Honey extension has recently been accused of being a scam
- Google responded by updating its extension rules
- Some people believe that the search engine giant has taken things too far
Earlier this week, Google updated the Chrome extension rules for affiliates, which essentially indicates to its users than without tangible advantage or user action, affiliation links cannot be placed. Although it is not specifically indicated, in large, the community should be that the extension of Paypal honey forced Google’s arm here.
For those who have a shorter memory duration, two months ago, a YouTuber named Megalag published an in -depth survey on how the extension of the honey browser was mainly engaged in reference jacking.
Honey is an extension that has been announced as a coupons hunter, finding the best offers for people looking to buy online. However, the researchers argued that he was exchanging references from influencers who promoted extension, with his, mainly flying the people of their committee.
ABUS MONOPOLE OR UX protection?
Now, the new Google extension rules clarify what is authorized and what is not: “Affiliation links, codes or cookies should only be included when the extension offers a direct and transparent user advantage linked to the basic functionalities of the extension. It is not authorized to inject affiliation links without related user action and without providing a tangible advantage to users. »»
“Certain current violations include: the insertion of affiliation links in the event of a discount, cashback or donation” and, “an extension which constantly injects affiliation links into the background without related user action.”
This is apparently what honey was doing. In some cases, even if he found no reduction coupons, he would always exchange references. Google and Paypal have not yet commented on new development.
Although consumer protection is always a good thing, not everyone agrees with Google here. In the section of the comments of the Verge article, there are people who believe that Google uses its position as a monopoly of navigator with “with strong arms” honey, and that it should not be the one that decides whether the commercial model of someone else is viable or not. Although probably a strong argument, other people have stressed that Google has the right to decide the type of user experience it creates for its user base.
Via The penis
