Firefox version 126 introduces search data telemetry collection and enhanced copy without site tracking option
Firefox version 126 introduces search data telemetry collection and enhanced copy without site tracking option
Innovation and privacy go hand in hand here at Mozilla. To continue developing features and products that resonate with our users, we’re adopting a new a
With the latest version of Firefox for U.S. desktop users, we’re introducing a new way to measure search activity broken down into high level categories. This measure is not linked with specific individuals and is further anonymized using a technology called OHTTP to ensure it can’t be connected with user IP addresses.
Let’s say you’re using Firefox to plan a trip to Spain and search for “Barcelona hotels.” Firefox infers that the search results fall under the category of “travel,” and it increments a counter to calculate the total number of searches happening at the country level.
Here’s the current list of categories we’re using: animals, arts, autos, business, career, education, fashion, finance, food, government, health, hobbies, home, inconclusive, news, real estate, society, sports, tech and travel.
Having an understanding of what types of searches happen most frequently will give us a better understanding of what’s important to our users, without giving us additional insight into individual browsing preferences. This helps us take a step forward in providing a browsing experience that is more tailored to your needs, without us stepping away from the principles that make us who we are.
We understand that any new data collection might spark some questions. Simply put, this new method only categorizes the websites that show up in your searches — not the specifics of what you’re personally looking up.
Sensitive topics, like searching for particular health care services, are categorized only under broad terms like health or society. Your search activities are handled with the same level of confidentiality as all other data regardless of any local laws surrounding certain health services.
Remember, you can always opt out of sending any technical or usage data to Firefox. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to adjust your settings. We also don’t collect category data when you use Private Browsing mode on Firefox.
The Copy Without Site Tracking option can now remove parameters from nested URLs. It also includes expanded support for blocking over 300 tracking parameters from copied links, including those from major shopping websites. Keep those trackers away when sharing links!
So much for privacy? I understand they say they only do this in broad terms and without tracking specifically, but i dont think a browser tracking this kind of data from their users is fair, if not i would just be using chrome.
Saying that you can just disable it is the cherry on top, something like this should be opt in, not opt out
What’s the point of making it opt in when only the most paranoid users are going to be concerned enough about this to opt out
“We came out with this new feature to help us improve our product, but we’re deliberately kneecapping it on day one by making it opt-in” lol
If you are that paranoid about your data just go use Tor through a vpn already
The moment they started collecting your bookmark history and hiding it really well is when I knew they were heading towards the dark side. I don't think they're they're there yet, but I might be naive about it.
All companies are going to track you one way or another. This is our reality. We can hope for no tracking laws, which will most likely never happen, or, never use technology, which is not an option for the most part.
Not a great place to be, imo.
We can at least avoid this end by using FOSS software. Anyone who doesn't like this can switch to the Librewolf fork.
The other end is harder, we'd have to obfuscate IP and get rid of fingerprints. The second you need an account for anything you can be tracked again, tho.
All of their telemetry is opt-out. This is nothing new.
First 90% of post: We collect more data now
Last 10%: Also here's a feature to prevent other companies from collecting as much data
The Apple way, we are not going to let other people collect your data... because we are the only ones that can do that.
You forgot, “but we don’t do that. We do. But we don’t. Your stuff is safe with us!”
Narrator: it isn’t.
Also doesnt describe the details of how they do it, as if they dont care
Mozilla is a for-profit company and is bound to enshittify just like any other for-profit company. Tracking, ads, and a focus on unnecessary bullshit like Pocket and recommendations have long indicated that Mozilla doesn't give a shit about the user. They want to shove AI in the browser just like all the others. Unfortunately, the best browser is still Firefox, but at least use a privacy focused fork like LibreWolf that also strips Mozilla's other bullshit away rather than using Firefox straight up.
Mozilla corporation (for profit) is FULLY owned by Mozilla Foundation (non profit) and is to reinvest its profit in the projects. Say what you want about the telemetry but no need to lie.
I switched to https://librewolf.net/ a bit ago
This has been my main browser for some time now. I love it.
I'm not inherently against anonymised and aggregated data collection by services and organisations I support. I understand that it is difficult to compete in the tech industry without this, and in the case of Firefox I believe it is very important that they continue to survive as a mainstream alternative to Google's market monopoly (even if things are trending in the wrong direction). I also understand that opt-out makes a lot more sense than opt-in for this kind of tracking, since opt-in would significantly reduce and skew the amount of data they had access to and limit its ability to improve the product. However, I think their explanation here is a poor one:
Having an understanding of what types of searches happen most frequently will give us a better understanding of what’s important to our users, without giving us additional insight into individual browsing preferences. This helps us take a step forward in providing a browsing experience that is more tailored to your needs, without us stepping away from the principles that make us who we are.
Again, I understand that it's not always possible to provide an explanation that is as transparent and detailed as some users may want, but you need to do better than this. I am struggling to see how my browsing experience can be improved through this type of data collection. I don't want or need a browser that is "tailored to my needs", and that type of language sounds privacy-invasive to me. If you genuinely believe that what you have planned is going to improve my experience then you need to do a better job of explaining that before you ask me to provide more data.
This also stood out to me, but then I remembered this weird question asking how people are using Firefox for shopping. At least based on that thread it seems FF management have disappointing and unnecessary future plans similar to Pocket acquisition.
It looks like they're just searching for people who will respond positively to their foregone decision to add the Shopping tool. I don't know how else to read that post, especially with how the team is interacting with the responses.
(Is that AI-generated spam in the replies too?)
That's a good pickup. Definitely something to be watching out for in the future.
Easily toggled off in the settings. This is a big nothing-burger. Come on people...
It's the same setting you use to turn off general telemetry. Chances are you've already disabled this. So can we stop crying about it? Literally nothing changed if you already turned telemetry off in settings.
Oh FFS, we want to tailor you experience? Totally unnecesary and how would that make my browsing better?
Bunch of clueless management folk think everything must be personally tailored and become your best friend or something.