Brave CEO Declares Metaphysical Rebellion Against Big Tech Surveillance

Brave Software, the company behind the privacy-focused Brave web browser, has been making waves in the tech industry with its stance against big tech surveillance. During a recent conference, Brave CEO and co-founder Brendan Eich, who is also the creator of the JavaScript language, described the company's approach as a "metaphysical rebellion" against the surveillance practices of major tech companies. Eich argued that the current internet advertising system is inherently toxic, with all parties involved fighting and cheating each other. He believes that blockchain technology, particularly privacy-focused solutions like ZK Proofs and "proof of humanity" verification, could pave the way for a more private and browser-native ad system.

Brave's journey began with the development of a web browser, a product that has the potential to reach a mass consumer audience. According to Eich, the browser is the universal app, the daily driver, and Brave has more user minutes than some of the largest social media platforms. The company's transparency page lists 38.6 million daily active users and 88.1 million monthly users. Brave's focus on privacy has set it apart from other Chromium-based browsers, and the company has embraced cryptocurrency, with an affiliated BAT rewards token and a built-in crypto wallet.

Eich also highlighted the importance of Brave Search in refining the company's AI business. Brave offers Leo AI, and the data from Brave Search is used to improve its language learning model. Eich's experience with the Mozilla Foundation and its affiliated company has given him a unique perspective on the tech industry. He co-founded the Mozilla Foundation and worked on Mozilla projects for 11 years before leaving to start Brave.

During the conference, Eich also spoke with Fahmi Syed, the President of the Midnight Foundation, a Cardano-affiliated, ZK- and privacy-focused chain. The Midnight Foundation launched just last month and is planning to include BAT holders in its upcoming NIGHT airdrop. Brave recently announced that it is adding Cardano support to the Brave Wallet, which already supports a variety of chains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and Avalanche.

Eich concluded his talk with some advice for crypto developers, encouraging them to rewrite their code multiple times. He believes that human intelligence is not about to be surpassed by AI models and that developers should focus on writing and reading code to stay ahead. Brave's stance against big tech surveillance and its embrace of blockchain technology have positioned the company as a leader in the privacy-focused tech industry. With its growing user base and innovative approach to advertising, Brave is poised to continue making waves in the tech world.