The popular browser extension Honey, now owned by PayPal, has hemorrhaged 4 million Chrome users after a damning investigation revealed its shady tactics of hijacking affiliate links and manipulating online shopping experiences.

Online commentators have been ruthless in their critique, exposing how the extension systematically undermines content creators and retailers by inserting itself into affiliate marketing chains. The controversy centers on Honey's practice of replacing original affiliate links with its own, effectively stealing commission from the creators who originally referred customers.

The fallout has been significant, with many users questioning the ethics of a tool they once trusted to save them money. Some online forums suggest the extension's business model is fundamentally predatory, replacing genuine coupon finding with a system designed to maximize its own revenue at the expense of both creators and consumers.

YouTube creators who previously promoted Honey are now facing backlash, with many criticized for not thoroughly vetting the service before endorsing it. The scandal has pulled back the curtain on the often opaque world of affiliate marketing and browser extensions.

Ultimately, the Honey controversy represents a broader conversation about digital trust, transparency, and the increasingly complex ways technology companies monetize user data and online interactions.