Honey browser extension accused of stealing from influencers

New year, same internet.

If you thought scammers might’ve made a resolution to chill, think again—because they’re busier than ever.

And this time, they're coming after influencers in the form of a free browser extension called Honey.

The name “Honey” sounds harmless enough, right?

Well, that's the point.

Honey claims to save you money by finding the best coupon codes for your online shopping habit.

Owned by PayPal and splashed across your feed through influencer collabs and ads, Honey sold itself as the shopper’s best friend.

But now?

The golden glow of those savings is looking more tarnished than your great grandmas’ earrings.

Because according to YouTuber MegaLag, who dropped a 23-minute exposé two weeks ago, “I hate to break it to you, but your favorite influencers sold you a lie. Honey is a scam.”

Cue the chaos in creator town.

For the uninitiated, Honey’s elevator pitch is simple: it’s a browser extension that automatically finds and applies the best promo codes at checkout.

In a world (my world in particular) where we’ve all spent five (plus) minutes Googling “[brand] + coupon” with mixed results, Honey seemed like a no-brainer. Convenience! Savings! No effort required! Hell yeah!

Since its 2012 launch, Honey’s growth has been meteoric, culminating in a jaw-dropping $4 billion acquisition by PayPal in 2020.

It’s the kind of tech success story that makes founders swoon and sceptics roll their eyes. And with its partnerships with influencers—from YouTube royalty to Instagram favourites—Honey quickly became a household name.

If your favourite creator wasn’t directly hawking Honey, they probably had a cheeky discount link in their bio.

But according to MegaLag and a growing number of sceptics, Honey’s glowing promises might be little more than smoke and mirrors.

Here are the main accusations:

1. Honey has been stealing commissions from creators.

The extension allegedly overrides their affiliate links with its own tracking codes, stealing the affiliate commission from influencers.

Affiliate marketing is a cornerstone of how creators earn a living. They promote products and encourage followers to click their unique affiliate links. In return, they receive a small commission when those followers make a purchase.

It’s not an easy job. It’s a grind. And Honey has supposedly been hijacking this grind all along.

2. Critics allege that Honey inflates its savings claims. 

While the extension does apply coupon codes, some users argue that the “discounts” aren’t exclusive to Honey. In other words, those same codes are often publicly available and easy to find without the extension.

Honey’s real “value”? Selling you convenience… not savings.

3. As with most free tech tools, the real price of Honey might be your data. 

Some users allege that Honey tracks shopping habits, product preferences, and even payment details.

PayPal has denied any nefarious data practices. But the whispers of surveillance capitalism are hard to ignore.

Influencers who partnered with Honey—many in good faith—are now finding themselves under fire.

MegaLag’s video called out creators for pushing a product they didn’t thoroughly vet, leading to questions about accountability in influencer marketing. Were they duped, too? Or is this a case of wilful ignorance?

And now, YouTuber Legal Eagle is suing.

The proposed class action lawsuit accuses Honey of intentionally replacing creators affiliate links with its own, even if it’s not offering consumers a benefit – stealing money from creators in the process.

According to the complaint, “PayPal’s practice violates California’s Unfair Competition Law and constitutes interference between creators and their business partners.”

PayPal has since disputed the allegations. But I don’t think that’s going to stop the pitchforks anytime soon.

So what can we all learn from this?

Convenience always comes at a cost. 

Honey’s appeal is rooted in its simplicity. But as we’ve seen time and again, “free” tech tools often come with hidden costs—whether that’s your data or inflated expectations. It's time we were all a bit more sceptical of “too good to be true” solutions.

Influencer partnerships can be risky. 

This isn’t the first time influencers have faced backlash for endorsing questionable products (lest we forget Fyre Festival). But Honey’s scandal highlights the need for creators to vet their partnerships rigorously. Trust takes years to build and seconds to lose.

Ain’t sh*t free.

The model thrives on the idea of giving something for nothing. But as consumers become savvier, they’re questioning the motives of platforms that promise effortless benefits. Is it about helping shoppers, or profiting off their data?

As consumers, it's important to be critical of such tools.

Ask yourself, "What’s the real cost here?"

Do your due diligence before downloading extensions or using apps. Fine print is a fine thing – and reading it could save you more than any promo code ever could.

For marketers and influencers, vet your partnerships like an aggressive airport security worker having a bad day.

If a deal feels off, trust your gut. Your rep is not worth a quick buck.

And lastly, if you’re promoting a product, make sure you actually believe in it.

At the end of the day, if something feels too good to be true online, it probably is.

Honey’s story is a reminder that convenience isn’t free, trust is fragile, and scammers aren’t taking any days off in 2025. But hey, at least the drama keeps things interesting…right?

So, here’s to a new year filled with smarter choices, sharper instincts, and a little less blind faith in “free” tech.

Stay savvy out there, friends.

-Sophie, Writer