I’ve been using Brave Search supplemented by Startpage for the past 2+ years. When I search for something, I want to get results for credible webpages, not a summary of unknown quality. I liked the previous AI inclusion because it was instant, didn’t take up much space, and I could quickly navigate to the websites referenced in it, but with the new feature it takes up more space, is slower, and not really what I want out of a search engine.

As soon as the feature was rolled out I disabled it in settings, but the AI button stays visible, I get autocomplete specifically for Answer with AI and I get frequent notifications to try out the new AI feature. An opt-out toggle should not mean that I still am pestered to use the feature I opted out of.

This is really annoying, and I’m probably going to end up switching to Startpage or SearXNG or something.

Some images (opted out of AI features):

    • best_username_ever@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      I tried it a long time ago and found out that they were injecting links to their shitcoins inside the web pages. Like, additional links in some web sites.

      I’m still dumbfounded that there was not more protests about it because it should never happen.

    • tourist@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      If you want a privacy-focused web browser, use Firefox or Vivaldi.

      I thought Vivaldi was also shady? Did I maybe confuse it with Opera?

      • MentalEdge@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        2·
        1 month ago

        Probably.

        Opera is shady. Vivaldi is developed by the people who used to develop Opera, back when it was its own thing and before it sold out to Chinese investors.

          • MentalEdge@sopuli.xyzEnglish
            2·
            1 month ago

            I dunno. Everything I’ve seen and heard seems perfectly legit.

            But it’s yet another chromium fork, and I don’t use it.

            I did for a while, as it has some very nice features, but it would consistently open without resuming my session. It would work for months and then just out of nowhere it would open up as if it was just installed. Everything gone. Utterly unacceptable.

    • woelkchen@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      So you were fine with Brave before when they scammed others?

      Brave has always been despicable.

  • Snapz@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Brave sucks and the people behind brave suck.

    Stop expecting anything valuable from the “crypto” browser

  • Carighan Maconar@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Well it’s Brave. They have always pulled shitty shit like this in the past, like rerouting clicks in the background to siphon ad impressions income or pushing crypto scams left and right and center.

  • yeehaw@lemmy.caEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    I’m really annoyed how everyone is pushing AI. It’s so far not as big a deal as they make it out to be.

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      1 month ago

      DDG sold out and allowed trackers on the mobile app. It’s a slow slide but it’s inevitable

      • felixwhynot@lemmy.worldEnglish
        1·
        1 month ago

        I use the web site through Firefox Focus, I’m happy with that combo.

        Then again I also have a pi-hole on my network so… Yeah

        • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          pi-holes can’t stop websites you use from collecting your data. they’ve already started accepting cash for things (by way of mobile browser.). it’s only a matter of time before it slides into more things- if it hasn’t already.

          currently I’m using start-page and it’s good enough for my needs. The advantage there is they’re in the EU, and have enhanced privacy requirements

          Edit: I’ve used Firefox since their first beta. Now I feel old…