The Disturbing Rabbit Hole Of Opera Gx

Summary

The script dives deep into the history and controversy surrounding Opera and its gaming-focused browser, Opera GX. It explores Opera’s rise and fall, from being a niche browser in the 90s to launching predatory loan apps in developing countries. With Opera GX, the company tried to recover by targeting gamers with innovative features like CPU/RAM controls and a built-in VPN, but these features have been under scrutiny for poor performance and potential privacy risks. The video raises important concerns about Opera's ethical practices and the value of using Opera GX, suggesting that users explore more trustworthy alternatives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Opera GX is marketed as a browser made specifically for gamers, with features like a built-in VPN and CPU/RAM control.
• 😀 Opera has a long history dating back to 1995, initially standing out with Opera Mini, a mobile browser that helped flip-phone users access the internet.
• 😀 Opera's downfall began when Google Chrome launched in 2008, quickly dominating the browser market and causing Opera to lose users.
• 😀 Opera allegedly engaged in fraudulent activities by launching mobile apps offering predatory loans, targeting developing countries like Kenya, India, and Nigeria.
• 😀 Hindenburg Research released a 2020 report accusing Opera of illegal practices, including forcefully accessing users' contacts and sending threatening messages regarding loan payments.
• 😀 Opera denied the allegations but failed to address specific claims, leaving many users skeptical of their responses.
• 😀 In 2019, Opera launched Opera GX, a browser aimed at gamers, featuring stylish visuals, Twitch integration, and the GX Control for managing CPU and RAM usage.
• 😀 Despite its initial success and high user engagement, Opera GX's popularity began to raise concerns over its privacy practices, especially regarding the built-in VPN.
• 😀 The built-in VPN in Opera GX reroutes user data through Opera's Norwegian headquarters, which could potentially give them access to personal information.
• 😀 Opera GX’s CPU and RAM control feature, although promoted heavily, did not live up to expectations, with many users reporting that it didn’t work effectively, especially on Mac OS.
• 😀 Opera GX attempted to boost attention by featuring a VTuber named GX Aura, gaining 75,000 views through an embedded stream, but these views were artificially inflated by automatically counting users who opened the browser.
• 😀 Given its controversial past and questionable privacy practices, Opera GX remains a browser to be cautious about, with alternatives like Firefox, Brave, and Safari offering better privacy and security.

Q & A

What is Opera GX, and how does it differ from the regular Opera browser?

Opera GX is a specialized version of the Opera browser targeted at gamers, offering unique features like built-in VPN, RAM/CPU control, and integrations with platforms like Twitch. It is marketed as a browser that can cater to gaming needs, setting it apart from the regular Opera browser.

Why did Opera shift focus to mobile apps and predatory loan services?

Opera shifted focus to mobile apps and predatory loan services in response to losing users to competitors like Google Chrome. This desperate move aimed to generate revenue, particularly targeting users in developing countries like Kenya, India, and Nigeria.

What were the allegations made by Hindenburg Research against Opera?

Hindenburg Research alleged that Opera engaged in fraudulent activities, including offering predatory loan services through apps like Oash and O PESA. These apps falsely advertised loan terms and coerced users into sharing personal data, even threatening them if payments were not made.

How did Opera respond to the Hindenburg Research report?

Opera responded by dismissing the report, claiming it contained errors and misleading conclusions. However, they did not provide specific details to counter the claims made by Hindenburg Research.

What features did Opera GX introduce to attract users?

Opera GX introduced several features to attract users, such as Twitch integration to monitor live streams and the GX control, which lets users limit CPU and RAM usage while browsing. These features gained popularity among users, especially in the gaming community.

Why were users initially excited about Opera GX?

Users were excited about Opera GX due to its customization options, such as CPU and RAM control, as well as its focus on gamers, which included Twitch integration. The visual design also stood out, making it more appealing to gamers and tech enthusiasts.

What issues were discovered with Opera GX's VPN feature?

It was discovered that Opera GX's built-in VPN does not encrypt data and routes user traffic through Opera's Norwegian headquarters. This raises concerns about privacy and the possibility of Opera accessing users' personal information, such as browsing history and IP addresses.

How did Opera GX's CPU and RAM limiting feature perform in testing?

The CPU and RAM limiting feature in Opera GX was found to be ineffective during testing. When tested on both a Windows laptop and a Mac, the feature failed to limit resource usage as advertised, with the Brave browser using significantly less RAM than Opera GX.

What marketing tactics did Opera use to promote Opera GX?

Opera heavily marketed Opera GX through a wide range of tactics, including spending a large budget on advertisements and collaborating with over 500 influencers. They also created a VTuber named GX Aura to stream on Twitch, although this was later revealed to be a forced method to inflate viewer counts through embedded streams.

What concerns are there about Opera GX's privacy practices?

There are significant concerns about Opera GX's privacy practices, particularly regarding its built-in VPN, which may not provide proper encryption and could potentially allow Opera to access users' personal data. Users should be cautious about trusting the browser with sensitive information.