While user consent (default on vs default off, or any choice at all) is a different-but-related topic, Mozilla bake it all in, enable it all by default, and make it difficult to disable. (Settings would be “super easy” and would show it was intended as a permanent choice.)
These aren’t actions and design decisions indicative of having the best interests of users in mind. Especially given how closed the mobile client already is.
It seems to be designed in a way that leaves Mozilla the option of removing the ability to disable it, presumably if it becomes profitable enough and/or they think they can get away with it.
But for now on this point they get a pass from me on the desktop version in a personal environment where the user has the most control.
Apart from the notification that there’s a new version with AI, I can’t say that I’ve noticed AI in Firefox at all. And I haven’t even bothered (as far as I remember) going anywhere to try and turn it off.
That certainly doesn’t feel remotely comparable to Chrome and Chredge.
First: Every product we build must give people agency in how it works. Privacy, data use, and AI must be clear and understandable. Controls must be simple. AI should always be a choice — something people can easily turn off. People should know why a feature works the way it does and what value they get from it.
Second: our business model must align with trust. We will grow through transparent monetization that people recognize and value.
Third: Firefox will grow from a browser into a broader ecosystem of trusted software. Firefox will remain our anchor. It will evolve into a modern AI browser and support a portfolio of new and trusted software additions.
And considering they’re a non-profit, I don’t see any particular reason to doubt their honesty.
While user consent (default on vs default off, or any choice at all) is a different-but-related topic, Mozilla bake it all in, enable it all by default, and make it difficult to disable. (Settings would be “super easy” and would show it was intended as a permanent choice.)
These aren’t actions and design decisions indicative of having the best interests of users in mind. Especially given how closed the mobile client already is.
It seems to be designed in a way that leaves Mozilla the option of removing the ability to disable it, presumably if it becomes profitable enough and/or they think they can get away with it.
But for now on this point they get a pass from me on the desktop version in a personal environment where the user has the most control.
Apart from the notification that there’s a new version with AI, I can’t say that I’ve noticed AI in Firefox at all. And I haven’t even bothered (as far as I remember) going anywhere to try and turn it off.
That certainly doesn’t feel remotely comparable to Chrome and Chredge.
Their blog post about it seems pretty clear, and it sounds good to me.
And considering they’re a non-profit, I don’t see any particular reason to doubt their honesty.