No it doesn't, they proposed a 3rd party ad replacement back in 2016 it wasn't popular so it never happened. Please stop repeating this.

Brave blocks ads by default it does not replace them.

Shit, I'm sorry. Of course I don't use a browser that announced plans like that, so I'm not really up to date on it. My mistake.

I've used it briefly on desktop, and use it daily on my phone. Can you please share more info on this? Are you refering to this https://brave.com/about_ad_replacement.html? Are they already doing this, or are these just plans?

It's my understanding that they replace them with ads from their own network, but revenue still goes to the publisher.

The revenue only goes to the publisher if the publisher goes through Brave. How do you think Brave pays publishers? It's not magic. The answer is most publishers don't get paid.

Uh, yeah, that's worrisome. I'm guessing ad networks themselves could also go to Brave, if Brave gets enough users...

You're right that this is "problematic", but your initial description of "Brave replacing ads with their own", while technically correct, leaves out any subtlety. They might me misguided, but this doesn't looks as malicious...

This isn't actually true. Brave intends to do this at some point with user opt-in. But currently it just blocks all 3rd party ads, HTTPSE, finger print protection, and is OS. Additionally, ad-replacement will be opt-in to allow people to support content providers with anonymous financial support.

Edit: formatting

It's about as unethical as removing the packaging from groceries and serving them on your own plates.

False equivalent.

Using your analogical line of reasoning, the equivalent would be stealing the groceries from a supermarket and replacing them with your own. I don't think Brave's proposed (but apparently never implemented) ad-replacement was quite this bad, but analogies are never very accurate.

I like my analogy.

I buy the food (content) and get the branded packaging (ads)

I then serve the same food, replacing the branded packaging with my own plates.

My dinner guests will give me credit for the plates, instead of giving eyeballs to the original branded packaging.

Honestly, I need to retract my above comment completely. You're absolutely right.

The fact it took a second explanation/clarification is a pretty good insight into how accepting we've become of advertising as a thing tbh.

What?

You know what's unethical? Ads. So replacing one pile of crap with another, well, can't say it changes that much.

Why are ads unethical? I can see the argument on services that you are forced to use (government websites) but not on services you have chosen to visit based on free will.

So? Still counts as unethical then.