Privacy @lemmy.ml Guadin @k.fe.derate.me 10mo ago

See what’s changing in Firefox: Better insights, same privacy. Stil a good choice?

blog.mozilla.org See what’s changing in Firefox: Better insights, same privacy | The Mozilla Blog

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

Innovation and privacy go hand in hand here at Mozilla…

Is this the time to drop firefox?

Firefox @lemmy.ml Nemeski @lemm.ee 10mo ago

See what’s changing in Firefox: Better insights, same privacy

blog.mozilla.org /en/products/firefox/firefox-search-update/

125 28

Technology @lemmy.ml sverit @lemmy.ml 10mo ago

Firefox to collect your (anonymized) search data

blog.mozilla.org /en/products/firefox/firefox-search-update/

246 93

31 comments

Drop it for what?
- ~~Chromium ofc~~ Uhhhh WebKit I guess
- Librefox? Or something else? Don't know, but since Firefox is often recommended for privacy, I was wondering if this changes things?
  
  Is anonymous data collection really that bad? They've also been open and explained their whole process. Like surely data collection needs to happen at some level to inform new features and design?
  
  mozilla is on a bad path, but they are still the most privacy respecting (with configuration) option of the big browsers today.
  
  This is disabled if you turn off telemetry in the settings, which users should already be doing anyway. I don't see this as any worse than what they already do.
- Un-Googled Chromium?
  
  Edit: Guess even FOSS has its limits
  
  UN googled chromium is pretty good honestly.
  
  But.. you will lose lots of privacy options with manifest v3.
Are we ignoring the part where you can disable it the same way you always could?

They even when out of their way to assure you if you already had telemetry disabled, absolutely nothing is changing for you and no data is being collected now.
- Still hate default firfox build u cant disable telemetry in about: config. Gotta go with librewolf.
I don’t really understand what search topics have to do with improving the browser. The blog post doesn’t make that clear at all.
- Agreed. If it was for a search engine, it would make some sense, but the browser, WTF for?
  
  Because the lived experience of many users is the browser integrates with the search engine to give you predictive suggestions as you type, identify images, translate, etc.
- This is my question as well. I am happy to leave it on if they can provide a clearer explanation of what my data will be used for, but for now it will remain off.
I'm not a fan of automated data collection, regardless of the reason. I see the merit, though, but I won't allow it. The post is very clear about the preserved anonymity of the collected data, which is good, and on how to easily opt out, which is great.

This statement, however, was a bit strange. Almost like they are being flippant on local laws. Since I know this isn't the case here, they should have phrased it different. (Emphasis mine)

Your search activities are handled with the same level of confidentiality as all other data regardless of any local laws surrounding certain health services.
- They definitely could have phrased this better. I think what they mean is that their level of confidentiality meets or exceeds local laws.
  
  That's what I also understood. It's just an odd, almost incorrect, phrasing. Unless our understanding is wrong, and they actually mean that they won't follow the local laws if said laws require them to violate privacy.

31 comments