Privacy enthusiasts have something to celebrate this holiday season. Unplugged, the company behind the UP Phone, has teamed up with Brave Browser to deliver a smartphone experience laser-focused on protecting user data. Starting now, all UP Phones will come preloaded with Brave Browser and Brave Search as the default browser and search engine.
To kick off the partnership, Unplugged is offering a limited-time $100 discount on the UP Phone. Shoppers can snag the deal during the “Gratitude for Privacy” campaign, running November 25 through December 2. Just use the promo code “BRAVE” at checkout to save.
Unplugged CEO Ryan Paterson shared his excitement: “Brave leads the industry in privacy innovation. This partnership is a natural fit for our mission to provide uncompromising privacy without sacrificing functionality. Together, we’re offering users a true alternative to Big Tech.”
The Brave Browser, known for its speed and privacy protections, pairs seamlessly with the UP Phone’s LibertOS 2.0 operating system, which is built on Android Open Source. For users who value options, the UP Phone still supports other browsers and apps, but Brave will now take center stage.
Luke Mulks, Brave’s VP of Business Operations, praised the collaboration: “Consumers are waking up to the control Big Tech has over their digital lives. This partnership shows there’s a better way forward—one where users are in charge of their data.”
Why This Matters
The UP Phone isn’t just another smartphone. It’s built from the ground up to prioritize privacy. Unlike traditional devices, it operates outside the Google and Apple ecosystems, freeing users from the relentless data tracking these companies have normalized.
Key features of the UP Phone include:
- No Ad-ID: Say goodbye to tracking tied to your device.
- Privacy Dashboard: A central hub for managing app permissions.
- Integrated Security Suite: Built-in VPN, antivirus, and messaging tools to safeguard communication.
- Kill Switch: Physically disconnects the battery, ensuring the phone is truly off when powered down.
Brave adds its own arsenal of privacy tools, including a VPN, a cryptocurrency wallet, and Brave Talk, a secure video conferencing platform. Its independent search engine, Brave Search, bypasses the ad-driven algorithms of traditional platforms, offering users unbiased and transparent results.
A Growing Movement
The numbers don’t lie. Brave boasts over 30 million daily users and 75 million monthly users. These stats reflect a growing demand for tech that doesn’t compromise privacy for convenience.
Ryan Paterson sums it up: “People are realizing they don’t need to trade their personal data to get a fast, functional device. The market is ready for change, and we’re proud to lead the charge.”
As holiday shopping ramps up, Unplugged and Brave are making a compelling pitch: a better, safer digital future is just a phone purchase away.