Ben Edelman

Wildfire makes a variety of white-label cashback browser extensions.

Today I filed a DOT complaint as to a passenger who booked award travel on KLM’s site, and was told (both on the web site in a confirmation email) that his booking “is confirmed.”

Creator-commerce platform ShopMy de facto runs an affiliate network, joining a variety of incumbents who have operated in this space for literally decades.

Under affiliate marketing contracts, an affiliate link may only be invoked in specific circumstances.

I’ve recently been looking at multiple forms of misconduct by Phia, a fast-growing shopping plugin.

In 2014, I was the first to reveal previously-unknown Google contracts that required Android phone manufacturers and carriers to preload key Google apps, make them prominent, and in some instances not install competing apps.

Four groups of passengers have contacted me to report that Air France KLM has cancelled their ticketed and confirmed travel — despite AF KLM receiving payment (in points or money) and sending emails saying tickets were valid.

Complaint.

The past year brought renewed interest (1, 2, 3) in whether client-side software is playing fair, versus claiming affiliate commissions not truly earned.

Three weeks ago, MegaLag and I revealed Honey not just breaking affiliate network rules (by failing to stand down when network rules require), but affirmatively hiding from testers.

Last month, @megalag and I caught the Honey shopping extension not just violating affiliate network rules (failing to “stand down” in circumstances where networks so require), but intentionally tricking testers.