Web browsers today face increasing demands for both performance and privacy. At Brave, they're tackling both challenges head-on with their Rust-based ad-blocking engine. This isn't just about blocking ads – it's about doing so with minimal performance impact while maintaining compatibility with existing filter lists and adapting to evolving web technologies.

Today we're joined by Anton Lazarev, Senior Software Engineer at Brave, to discuss how they're using Rust to build a high-performance ad-blocker, the challenges of working within browser constraints, and how they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in modern web privacy.
About Brave
Brave is a privacy-focused web browser that blocks ads and trackers by default. It's built on top of Chromium, with additional privacy features like the ability to earn cryptocurrency by viewing privacy-respecting ads. Brave has been an early adopter of Rust, using it to build their ad-blocking engine and other core features.

About Anton Lazarev
Anton Lazarev is a Senior Software Engineer at Brave, where he works on the browser's core privacy features. In his free time, Anton enjoys working on like his fully open-source and Rust-based, customizable split keyboard.

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Links From The Episode (In Chronological Order)

• VST - Audio plugin standard
• Azul - Early Rust UI library
• Rust subreddit "Who's Hiring" - Looking for a Rust job?
• XPath - Alternative to CSS style selectors
• CXX - C/C++ Rust Interop crate
• CNAME cloaking - Technique for disguising tracking domains
• Manifest V3 - New extension platform specification
• uBlock Origin - Popular content blocker
• adblock-rust - Brave's adblock engine written in Rust
• Public Suffix List - Explains what a "suffix" is compared to a TLD
• Servo2 - Next generation browser engine
• Ladybird - Browser project
• Swift supported compile targets
• Matthias: "The Dying Web"
• GN - Old Chromium build system
• GNRT - New Chromium build system: GN from Rust third_party (pronounced "generate")
• Bazel - Google's build system
• Ninja - Small build system focusing on speed
• Angelfish browser
• QuteBrowser - Keyboard-focused browser
• Privaxy - Privacy proxy using adblock-rust
• Readable - Matthias' attempt to make the web readable
• Anton's Keyboard - Custom keyboard setup

Official Links

• Brave
• Brave Browser
• Brave Search
• Anton Lazarev on GitHub
• Anton Lazarev on Mastodon