Nearly 1 million browsers have been turned into website scraping bots through 245 browser extensions that override security protections, according to researcher John Tuckner. These extensions, which serve various functions, incorporate the MellowTel-js library to monetize their use by scraping websites for paying clients, including AI startups, while raising concerns about user privacy and security.

Gen Z is increasingly willing to sell their personal data for cash, with the app Verb.AI offering up to $50 a month in exchange for insights into their digital habits. The app creates a digital twin of users by tracking their online activity, allowing companies to gain deeper consumer insights while addressing Gen Z's rising demand for compensation for their data.