To begin with, the Grass Protocol is a well-known project among airdrop hunters. It has already attracted half a million users who are utilizing the extension, which is currently available on Chrome, Edge, and Solana Saga phones. Additionally, users signing up through these platforms are said to receive a bonus. Furthermore, the protocol plans to expand its presence by launching on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for mobile devices in the first quarter of this year.
The main idea behind the extensions and apps is to allow users to sell their unused internet data. In many civilized countries, unlimited data plans are common, making it seemingly logical to utilize the extension to monetize one’s unused data. By doing so, users can earn points, which can eventually be converted into tokens. However, despite its popularity, several concerns have arisen regarding the Grass Protocol.
Let’s evaluate the project to gain a better understanding of these concerns. The website appears to be professional and sleek, while the extension itself is verified on the Chrome Web Store. On the surface, everything seems to be in order. However, upon delving deeper, certain red flags start to emerge.
One major concern revolves around the anonymous nature of the team behind the Grass Protocol. The project is supposedly managed by the Wind Network, but their website lacks crucial information. There are no details about the CEO, developers, or team members. Furthermore, there is no presence on LinkedIn or Twitter, only anonymous names with avatars that aren’t necessarily real faces. Such a lack of transparency raises suspicions, especially considering the significant amount of money raised, totaling $3.5 million from investors such as Poly Chain and Tribe Capital.
Moreover, the website provides minimal information about the project and redirects users back to the Grass extension. There is an email link and a Medium page, but they fail to offer concrete, detailed explanations. Notably, there is no GitHub repository, open-source code, smart contract, or audited blockchain announced for Wind and the Grass Protocol. These omissions undermine trust, particularly considering the absence of a token smart contract. Without this essential information, users are left to blindly trust an anonymous team, becoming vulnerable to potential risks.
Another significant concern relates to the data collected by the Grass extension. According to the Chrome Web Store, the extension gathers a substantial amount of personal information, including names, addresses, emails, age, and identification numbers. The inclusion of identification numbers raises further concerns. While collecting IP addresses for selling internet data seems reasonable, the extension’s request for passwords, security questions, and PINs is alarming. This level of data collection exceeds what other ad blockers or similar extensions gather.
When confronted about this issue on the Grass Discord channel, members of the core team responded by claiming that the extension takes fewer rights than most ad blockers. They argued that only passwords for the extension itself are collected, as users need to create an account to log in. However, research shows that competing extensions, like Adblock Ultimate and AdGuard Adblocker, do not collect the same depth and breadth of personal data. Even Honeygain, which competes directly with Grass, collects less information. These discrepancies raise concerns about the transparency and trustworthiness of the data collection process employed by the Grass Protocol.
Concerning the claim that data collected by the Grass extension is sold to Fortune 500 companies, there is no additional information about which specific companies are involved or how potential buyers can access the data. The lack of a contact page or clear indication of how to lease or purchase the data adds another layer of ambiguity. These glaring omissions contribute to the overall dubious nature of the Grass Protocol.
Considering the security risks posed by the extension’s data collection practices, it is advisable to run the Grass extension on an isolated browser or a separate dummy phone. While the investment backing provided by reputable venture capital firms seems to lend some credibility to the project, it is essential to address the lack of transparency exhibited by the team behind the Grass Protocol.
In conclusion, the Grass Protocol presents significant concerns that demand further investigation and transparency from the anonymous team. The absence of a whitepaper, team information, smart contracts, audits, and an established blockchain creates an environment of uncertainty. To win the trust of users within the crypto community, it is crucial for the Grass Protocol team to provide more transparency, such as video calls or other means of open communication. Only by addressing these concerns can Grass establish itself as a trusted and reliable project within the industry.
Stay tuned for updates on the Grass Protocol as more information becomes available. Until then, proceed with caution and remain vigilant amidst the uncertainties surrounding this project.
I highly recommend using the Grass airdrop referral code “sSACF0ZpWuLxTT1” when registering at https://app.getgrass.io/register/?referralCode=sSACF0ZpWuLxTT1 to earn a stake in the AI Revolution.