I'm ditching Firefox & Mozilla after 10 years of blunders

Summary

In this video, the speaker explains their decision to abandon Mozilla products, including Firefox and Thunderbird, after the company introduced controversial new terms of service. These terms grant Mozilla broad rights to access user data, raising concerns about privacy and potential AI misuse. Despite past efforts to support Mozilla, the speaker no longer trusts the company’s direction, especially after seeing a shift toward monetizing user data. They recommend alternatives like Florp and other privacy-respecting Firefox forks and urge viewers to reconsider their trust in Mozilla, warning that privacy may no longer be a priority for the company.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mozilla recently updated Firefox's terms of use, granting them broad access to user data and potentially allowing them to use that data for AI purposes.
• 😀 The new terms of use grant Mozilla a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access and process the content users input into Firefox.
• 😀 The speaker believes the vague wording of the new terms could allow Mozilla to use or store data in ways that are unclear, especially for AI-related projects.
• 😀 Mozilla can update the terms of use without notifying users, meaning continued use of Firefox implies consent to these changes, which the speaker sees as unacceptable.
• 😀 The speaker is concerned that Mozilla may use the data collected through Firefox to build AI features or sell the data to third parties, potentially violating privacy.
• 😀 Mozilla has removed mentions of not selling user data from its privacy documentation, raising suspicions about their true intentions regarding data collection.
• 😀 The speaker expresses frustration with Mozilla’s lack of transparency in their actions, particularly regarding the Privacy Preserving Attribution project and unwanted browser extensions.
• 😀 Mozilla's move towards monetizing data through AI and other means is seen as a betrayal of their previous stance as a privacy-respecting, non-profit company.
• 😀 The speaker has decided to stop using Firefox and other Mozilla products, switching to alternatives like Florp and Thunderbird alternatives.
• 😀 Despite past issues, the speaker has been patient with Mozilla, but believes they've reached a breaking point after multiple questionable decisions and changes.
• 😀 The speaker calls on viewers to reconsider their trust in Mozilla and suggests exploring other browsers or email clients that prioritize privacy and user control.

Q & A

What new terms of service did Mozilla introduce for Firefox, and why are they controversial?

Mozilla introduced new terms of service that grant them a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to access and process the data you input into Firefox. While this is meant to support basic browser functions, the vague wording raises concerns about potential misuse, such as data collection for AI development or selling user data, which many find unacceptable.

How do Mozilla’s new terms of service differ from their previous stance on user data?

Previously, Mozilla explicitly stated that they did not sell user data. However, the new terms omit this statement, and there's a lack of clarity about whether they plan to sell data or use it for other purposes, such as training AI models.

Why does the speaker find the vagueness of the new terms of service concerning?

The speaker finds the vague wording troubling because it could give Mozilla the ability to access everything typed or uploaded through Firefox. The broad phrasing could potentially allow them to collect data for purposes not yet specified, including future AI features.

What issue does the speaker have with Mozilla’s automatic updates to the terms of service?

The speaker objects to the fact that Mozilla can update the terms of service without notifying users, and by continuing to use Firefox, users automatically accept the new terms. This lack of explicit consent conflicts with privacy laws in some regions, such as the EU, where users must actively consent to changes.

What concern does the speaker raise about Mozilla’s ability to terminate access to Firefox?

The speaker is concerned that Mozilla can suspend or terminate access to Firefox at any time for any reason. This could undermine the principles of open-source software, where users typically have more freedom and less restriction in using the software.

How does Mozilla’s removal of the statement about not selling user data affect public trust?

The removal of the statement about not selling user data contributes to a loss of trust. Without this assurance, users are left uncertain about how their data is being handled, especially when coupled with Mozilla's vague terms regarding data access and the potential for AI development.

What does the speaker suspect Mozilla’s future intentions are regarding user data and AI?

The speaker suspects that Mozilla is preparing to use user data for AI development, either by building their own AI tools or by selling user data to third-party AI companies. This would align with Mozilla's desire for new revenue streams, while potentially sacrificing user privacy.

What examples of Mozilla’s past decisions contribute to the speaker’s decision to stop using their products?

The speaker cites several past decisions, including the implementation of privacy-preserving attribution without user consent, pushing unwanted extensions like the Mr. Robot tie-in, and a troubling increase in executive pay despite Firefox's poor performance. These actions have eroded trust in Mozilla.

What alternative browsers and solutions does the speaker recommend?

The speaker has switched to a Firefox fork, Florp, and recommends other alternatives such as LibreWolf, Muvad, Waterfox, and Pale Moon. These browsers remove some of the controversial features present in Firefox, allowing users to continue using a privacy-respecting browser.

Why does the speaker recommend moving away from Mozilla products like Thunderbird?

Even though there have been no specific complaints about Thunderbird, the speaker is wary of using any Mozilla product due to the company's recent actions and the loss of trust. They are opting for alternative email clients as a result.