Mozilla's recent source code changes removing the 'we don't sell your data' promise have severely damaged user trust, with a survey showing 90% of Firefox users either distrusting or doubting the organization. Multiple privacy-focused browser alternatives exist, including Librewolf, Waterfox, and emerging projects like Ladybird, offering users various options for secure browsing.
A reflection on the continued use of Firefox browser amid Mozilla's recent controversial decisions, exploring alternatives like LibreWolf, Debian repos version, and standalone applications. The analysis weighs various options while considering privacy, security, and functionality needs, ultimately leaning towards maintaining Firefox usage while monitoring Mozilla's direction.
Mozilla's recent policy changes sparked confusion in the tech community regarding privacy implications, leading to subsequent clarifications about data ownership and usage. The situation highlights communication challenges between Mozilla and its user base, while also raising broader questions about browser privacy and governance structures.
Microsoft Edge Canary is now disabling Manifest V2-based extensions like uBlock Origin, following Google Chrome's lead in the transition to Manifest V3. Users can temporarily re-enable disabled extensions, but Microsoft's timeline for complete Manifest V2 deprecation remains unclear. Mozilla Firefox remains committed to supporting Manifest V2 extensions, offering users an alternative platform.
Mozilla's updated Terms of Use includes a new clause granting broad rights to user data input through Firefox, drawing comparisons with other browser vendors' policies. A detailed analysis reveals that while Google has similarly expansive rights, Mozilla's scope extends beyond uploaded content to all information input through the browser, including local network activity. Safari, Brave, and Opera notably have no such intellectual property clauses.
Mozilla is introducing a Terms of Use for Firefox and updating its Privacy Notice to provide clearer transparency about user rights and data practices. The changes reflect Mozilla's commitment to user privacy while ensuring Firefox's functionality, with new terms becoming effective in March for new users and later this year for existing ones.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Automattic over blocking WP Engine's access to WordPress.org services, affecting hundreds of thousands of customers. The lawsuit alleges deliberate sabotage and unfair competition, seeking damages and an injunction to prevent Automattic from interfering with competitors. The case highlights concerns about WordPress.org's governance and Automattic's control over critical WordPress infrastructure.
A Linux notebook user discovered white noise and battery drain issues caused by unsuspended AudioContext in Firefox, particularly from websites like Outlook, X.com, and Google Translate. The problem stems from websites creating AudioContext without properly suspending it when not in use, leading to unnecessary power consumption and speaker noise.
An in-depth analysis of DNS resolution APIs across different operating systems reveals significant limitations and implementation challenges, particularly when handling modern DNS records like HTTPS. While getaddrinfo remains a standard but limited solution, platform-specific APIs exhibit various bugs and inconsistencies, making cross-platform DNS resolution particularly challenging.
Mozilla's code signing process has evolved significantly over 20 years, progressing from manual GPG signatures to an automated system handling thousands of daily signatures through their Autograph service. The evolution includes improvements in security, automation, and cross-platform support, moving from Windows-only signing to a sophisticated cloud-based infrastructure with Hardware Security Modules.