The Honey browser extension, once celebrated as a money-saving tool, is now facing serious allegations of deceptive practices that harm consumers, content creators, and businesses. Owned by PayPal, Honey promises to find and apply the best discounts during online shopping—but recent investigations suggest otherwise.
If you’re wondering, “Is Honey a scam?” or concerned about the so-called “Honey PayPal scam,” here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Honey?
Honey, launched in 2012, is a browser extension designed to save users money by automatically applying coupon codes at checkout. By 2020, PayPal acquired Honey for $4 billion, rebranding it as PayPal Honey. Its appeal lies in its simplicity—install the extension, and it claims to find the best deals for you automatically.
While the concept sounds great, recent scrutiny suggests that Honey’s operations may not always prioritize the consumer’s best interests.
Is Honey a Scam?
The question “Is Honey a scam?” has been trending following a viral YouTube exposé by MegaLag, which revealed troubling aspects of Honey’s operations. Despite its promise to save users money by applying the best discount codes, the extension allegedly promotes deals that benefit its business partners over better savings available to consumers.
For example, Honey might highlight a 10% discount (via a code like “HONEY10”) while ignoring a more generous 30% discount. This practice misleads users, making them believe they’re getting the best deal when, in reality, they’re still overpaying.
The Honey PayPal Scam: Affiliate Links and Influencers
MegaLag’s investigation also uncovered how Honey manipulates affiliate links. Many influencers and media platforms rely on affiliate marketing, where they earn commissions for directing users to specific products. However, Honey reportedly intercepts these affiliate links, reassigning the credit to itself.
This practice not only robs influencers of their rightful earnings but also undermines trust between content creators and their audiences. Prominent YouTubers like Linus Tech Tips and Marques Brownlee, who have promoted Honey, are now part of the conversation, with users questioning the ethics of the extension they endorsed.
Security Concerns: Is Honey Safe?
Honey’s track record on security has also been questioned. In 2020, Amazon flagged Honey as a potential security risk, citing concerns over excessive data collection. Although these issues were reportedly resolved, they highlighted the risks associated with browser extensions that access sensitive shopping and payment data.
Why You Should Consider Uninstalling Honey
Given the allegations of misleading discounts, affiliate link hijacking, and potential security vulnerabilities, many users are reconsidering their relationship with the Honey extension. Here’s why uninstalling Honey might be a smart move:
- Misleading Discounts: Honey may promote codes that don’t offer the best savings.
- Affiliate Hijacking: Influencers and small businesses lose commissions, harming the ecosystem of trust and fairness.
- Data Privacy: Past concerns about data collection raise questions about transparency and user safety.
What Can Consumers Do?
To ensure you get the best deals while supporting ethical business practices, here are some tips:
- Do Your Research: Manually search for discount codes on trusted coupon websites.
- Support Influencers Directly: Use affiliate links from creators you trust to help them earn commissions.
- Evaluate Browser Extensions: Opt for tools with transparent policies and proven track records.
Is Honey Worth the Security Risk?
While Honey began as a promising tool for saving money, its practices under PayPal’s ownership have raised serious concerns. From misleading consumers to undermining influencers and businesses, the extension may cost users more than it saves. If you’re using the Honey browser extension, now might be the time to reevaluate its place in your shopping routine.
