{"id":"brendan-eich","title":"Brendan Eich","content":"**Brendan Eich** is an American software engineer and technology executive, known for creating the JavaScript programming language and for co-founding the Mozilla project, which developed the Firefox browser. He is the co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Brave Software, the company behind the privacy-focused Brave web browser and the [Basic Attention Token (BAT)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/basic-attention-token). [\\[1\\]](#cite-id-HibYs4dV5v1qSRia)​\n\n## Education\n\nEich attended Santa Clara University, where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science. He later earned a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1983. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-F1cdU2wh3Hg6h77C)​\n\n## Career\n\nEich began his career as a software engineer at Silicon Graphics from 1985 to 1992, followed by a similar role at MicroUnity between 1992 and 1995. In 1995, he joined Netscape Communications Corporation as a principal engineer and chief architect. During his early tenure at Netscape, he created the JavaScript programming language in 1995 and designed its initial implementation, the SpiderMonkey engine, which became a core component of the Netscape Navigator browser. Eich continued to oversee the development and standardization of JavaScript throughout his time at the company.\n\nIn 1998, Eich co-founded the Mozilla project to manage open-source development of the Netscape browser codebase and served as its chief architect. After AOL acquired Netscape in 1999 and later shut down its browser division in 2003, he was involved in the formation of the Mozilla Foundation. In 2005, Eich became chief technology officer of the newly established Mozilla Corporation, the foundation’s commercial subsidiary, where he retained oversight of the SpiderMonkey JavaScript engine until 2011. He later served as Mozilla’s chief technology officer and senior vice president of engineering, and briefly as chief executive officer in March 2014.\n\nEich’s appointment as CEO of Mozilla in 2014 was met with significant public and internal criticism related to his prior political donations, leading to protests, public campaigns, and internal disagreement within the organization. After 11 days in the role, he resigned in April 2014, citing the difficulty of being an effective leader under the circumstances, and subsequently departed the organization.\n\nIn 2015, Eich co-founded Brave Software and became its chief executive officer. The company develops the Brave web browser, a Chromium-based browser focused on blocking advertisements and trackers. Under his leadership, Brave released early developer versions of the browser in 2016. Eich also co-created the [Basic Attention Token (BAT)](https://iq.wiki/wiki/basic-attention-token), a [cryptocurrency](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) designed to support alternative digital advertising and content monetization models within the Brave ecosystem, which launched in 2017. He has continued to serve as CEO of Brave Software since its founding, with periodic public attention related to his public statements on technology and policy topics. [\\[2\\]](#cite-id-F1cdU2wh3Hg6h77C) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=sFdc_BmkXDw)\n\n## Interviews\n\n### Future of AI, Search & Web3\n\nIn a June 2024 interview on *Cryptonews Spotlight*, Eich discussed the development of Brave as a privacy-focused browser and search platform, drawing on his earlier experience at Netscape and Mozilla. He described the evolution of the Brave Wallet into a multi-network, self-custody tool supporting assets beyond [Ethereum](https://iq.wiki/wiki/ethereum), and outlined efforts to integrate rewards and transaction simulation while maintaining user control. Eich also addressed competition in search and advertising, the use of AI to improve search transparency, and plans to expand AI features through local processing to limit data exposure. The discussion concluded with reflections on the role of human oversight in AI systems, anticipated changes in browser functionality, and the influence of user choice on the direction of technology markets. [\\[8\\]](#cite-id-ifYiYPpCCBvW2Zuf) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=gNP_QFrRMto)\n\n### Privacy & The User\n\nIn July 2025, Eich joined Fahmi Syed for a fireside chat at [Permissionless](https://iq.wiki/wiki/permissionless) on privacy, identity, and user-centered design in web and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) technologies. Eich discussed his background in developing JavaScript and the long-term challenges of maintaining backward compatibility while evolving complex systems. He outlined Brave’s approach to blocking ads and trackers by default, its use of opt-in token-based incentives, and its exploration of decentralized wallet functionality and [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) partnerships. The conversation also examined privacy risks inherent in public [blockchain](https://iq.wiki/wiki/blockchain) activity, alternatives to surveillance-based advertising, and the use of cryptographic techniques to support private interactions, concluding with broader reflections on iterative development and the importance of maintaining user control in emerging technologies. [\\[3\\]](#cite-id-GQEJcLXjK1Hc0Iu8) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=LIAUkCT9FdQ)\n\n### Brave vs Google\n\nIn an August 2022 appearance on [The Wolf of All Streets](https://iq.wiki/wiki/scott-melker-the-wolf-of-all-streets) podcast, Eich discussed privacy risks associated with mainstream web browsers and the concentration of data collection within advertising-driven platforms. He examined how browser-level tracking supports targeted advertising and outlined the technical challenges of limiting such practices while maintaining performance and compatibility. Eich reflected on the broader evolution of browser technology, including unintended consequences of earlier design choices, and described emerging shifts in user awareness around data protection. The conversation also addressed competitive dynamics in the browser market, the structural constraints large technology firms face in adopting privacy-first models, and longer-term possibilities for decentralization and alternative content distribution systems. [\\[5\\]](#cite-id-OfPBMG8vy4dLWHMP) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=KNpK44TJru8)\n\n### The Browser\n\nIn a February 2022 interview on the *Acquired* podcast, Eich discussed the development of modern web browsers, drawing on his experience at Netscape, Mozilla, and Brave. He reviewed the technical and organizational challenges involved in building and scaling browsers, including the transition from Netscape to the Mozilla project and the emergence of Firefox as a competitive open-source alternative. Eich examined changes in online advertising and tracking practices, highlighting long-standing privacy issues related to cookies and third-party data collection, and described how Brave approaches these challenges through alternative economic and technical models. The conversation also addressed trade-offs between decentralization and usability, competitive pressures from dominant platforms, and broader questions around user control, privacy, and the future direction of browser technology. [\\[4\\]](#cite-id-in4B1yiC9CSHZ3e4) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=qRsvSz7u_d4)\n\n## Panels\n\n### Privacy is Freedom\n\nIn December 2025, Eich participated in a panel discussion at the Midnight Summit alongside [Illia Polosukhin](https://iq.wiki/wiki/illia-polosukhin), [Mert Mumtaz](https://iq.wiki/wiki/mert-mumtaz), and [Zooko Wilcox](https://iq.wiki/wiki/zooko-wilcox), focusing on privacy in decentralized technologies. The discussion addressed user awareness and choice in privacy tools, the challenges of making privacy-preserving systems usable, and the tension between individual privacy and institutional transparency. Panelists explored emerging approaches, such as decentralized confidential machine learning, emphasized the need to make privacy the default for individual actions, and identified regulation as a significant external pressure on privacy. Eich highlighted the risks of privacy-compromising practices in [crypto](https://iq.wiki/wiki/cryptocurrency) and argued for a private-by-default internet in which advanced technologies, including AI, are designed to protect user data while enabling everyday online interactions. [\\[7\\]](#cite-id-H4O7q1vQXF69wsjR) \n\n[YOUTUBE@VID](https://youtube.com/watch?v=SXWQzshQ4j4)\n\n​","summary":"Brendan Eich, creator of JavaScript and co-founder of Mozilla, is the CEO of Brave Software, which develops the privacy-focused Brave browser and Basic Attention Token (BAT).","images":[{"id":"QmYxGbfVqPr7gvTJrxGpqqcbp2PgQjYSx19fcXLcxK3gT2","type":"image/jpeg, 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