Firefox introduces TOS: Difference between revisions

The new terms contained phrasing that has caused concern by users of Firefox and the reasoning for its inclusion in the privacy focused browser.<ref name="reddit-1">{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title= Introducing a terms of use and updated privacy notice for Firefox |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1iyzmo6/introducing_a_terms_of_use_and_updated_privacy/ |website= [[Reddit]] |date=26 Feb 2025 |access-date=27 Feb 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250314081754/https://old.reddit.com/r/linux/comments/1iyzmo6/introducing_a_terms_of_use_and_updated_privacy/ |archive-date=14 Mar 2025}}</ref><ref name="discourse">{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title= Why does Mozilla now require a "nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license" when entering information in Firefox? |url=https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/why-does-mozilla-now-require-a-nonexclusive-royalty-free-worldwide-license-when-entering-information-in-firefox/140700 |website= Mozilla discourse |date=26 Feb 2025 |access-date=27 Feb 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227171303/https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/why-does-mozilla-now-require-a-nonexclusive-royalty-free-worldwide-license-when-entering-information-in-firefox/140700 |archive-date=27 Feb 2025}}</ref><ref name="lemmy">{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title= Mozilla Introducing 'Terms of Use' to Firefox |url= https://lemmy.world/post/26091770 |website=Lemmy |date=26 Feb 2025 |access-date=27 Feb 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227171252/https://lemmy.world/post/26091770 |archive-date=27 Feb 2025}}</ref><ref name="moz-connect">{{Cite web |author=AshleyT |title= Information about the New Terms of Use and Updated Privacy Notice for Firefox |url=https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/information-about-the-new-terms-of-use-and-updated-privacy/m-p/87949/highlight/true#M33725 |website=Mozilla connect |date=26 Feb 2025 |access-date=28 Feb 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250228135428/https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/information-about-the-new-terms-of-use-and-updated-privacy/m-p/87949/highlight/true#M33725 |archive-date=28 Feb 2025}}</ref> Concerns center especially around the phrasing of terms outlined in the section titled "You Give Mozilla Certain Rights and Permissions".<ref name="TOS">{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title= Firefox Terms of Use

The vagueness of the terms resulted in users questioning how much of their data they were granting Mozilla a license to use, especially since the company puts a lot of emphasis on transparency and privacy in their manifesto.<ref name="manifesto">{{Cite web |author=<!--not stated--> |title= The Mozilla Manifesto Addendum; Pledge for a Healthy Internet |url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/ |website= Mozilla |date=25 Feb 2025 |access-date=27 Feb 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227045402/https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/ |archive-date=27 Feb 2025}}</ref> One notable concern is the possibility that license to user input could be used to train artificial intelligence tools. This became a concern since Mozilla has recently been working on AI tools.<ref name="orbit" />

|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118002756/https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/information-about-the-new-terms-of-use-and-updated-privacy/m-p/87949/highlight/true |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref>

Mozillla's vague writing caused concern among Firefox users that their input could be used for artificial intelligence training, especially given Mozilla's AI-related projects.<ref name="orbit">{{Cite web |title= Orbit by Mozilla |url= https://orbitbymozilla.com/ |website= Mozilla AI |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250717125351/https://orbitbymozilla.com:443/ |archive-date=17 Jul 2025}}</ref> After backlash, Mozilla revised the TOU to clarify that data usage is restricted to user-requested actions.<ref name="tos-update">{{Cite web |title= An update on our Terms of Use |url= https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/update-on-terms-of-use/ |website= Mozilla Blog |date=28 Feb 2025 |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250410145724/https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/update-on-terms-of-use/ |archive-date=10 Apr 2025}}</ref>

|archive-date=27 Feb 2025}}</ref> was quietly removed from their documentation.<ref name="github-tos">{{Cite web |title= Tos copy updates (fix #16016) (#16018) |url= https://github.com/mozilla/bedrock/commit/d459addab846d8144b61939b7f4310eb80c5470e |website= GitHub |date=28 Feb 2025 |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220025231/https://github.com/mozilla/bedrock/commit/d459addab846d8144b61939b7f4310eb80c5470e |archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

|website= Legilature.ca.gov |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123033324/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV&sectionNum=1798.140. |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> However, the new Terms of Use do not explicitly prohibit Mozilla from selling user data in the future, meaning they could legally do so if they chose.<ref name="tos-update" />

Mozilla has also provided an explanation for why they changed their FAQ.<ref name="tos-update" /> They say this is because different legislation has different definitions of "sale of data"and this makes it uncertain on whether a business is legally considered to be selling data. Mozilla explicitly cites the California Consumer Privacy Act<ref name="ccpa" /> with regards to how existing privacy legislation defines the sale of data.<ref group="footnotes">Mozilla in the version of the CCPA they quoted on their update (see ''[https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/update-on-terms-of-use/ "An update on out terms of use"]'') a draft version of the CCPA. The difference in the definition used is the inclusion of "another business" in the wording. [https://www.quippd.com/social/posts/2025/03/06/mozilla-quoted-an-incorrect-version-of-the-ccpa-in-their-terms-of-use-update.html "Mozilla Quoted an Incorrect Version of the CCPA in their Terms of Use update"].''Youssuff Quips'' ([http://web.archive.org/web/20250410145724/https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/update-on-terms-of-use/ Archived])</ref>

|access-date=2 Mar 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223044805/https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/pocket-sponsored-stories-new-tabs |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

Mozilla's Privacy Policy states that user data is only shared in an aggregated or de-identified form.<ref name="mozilla-privacy">{{Cite web |title= Mozilla Privacy Policy |url=https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/ |website= Mozilla |access-date=2 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213162458/https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/ |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref> The Firefox Privacy Notice also confirms:

*'''Lack of a Clear "Do Not Sell" Option:''' The CCPA requires an explicit "Do Not Sell My Data" button, but Mozilla bundles opt-out settings under "technical and interaction data." Mozilla's privacy policy page states ''"You can opt out of having your data processed for personalization or advertising purposes by turning off “technical and interaction data” on Desktop and Mobile at any time".''<ref name="firefox-privacy" /> Firefox does have this option in the privacy and security section of the settings as of version 135 (4 February 2025).<ref>https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-turn-do-not-track-feature?as=u&utm_source=inproduct ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260122040142/https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-turn-do-not-track-feature?as=u&utm_source=inproduct Archived])</ref>

Initially, Mozilla's TOU granted the company a "nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license" to user input, which raised concerns about potential data ownership and usage rights.<ref name="connect">{{Cite web |title= Re: Information about the New Terms of Use and Updated Privacy Notice for Firefox |url= https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/information-about-the-new-terms-of-use-and-updated-privacy/m-p/87949/highlight/true |website= Mozilla Connect |date=27 Feb 2025 |access-date=1 Mar 2025

|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251118002756/https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/information-about-the-new-terms-of-use-and-updated-privacy/m-p/87949/highlight/true |archive-date=18 Nov 2025}}</ref> This was later revised after backlash.<ref name="tos-update" />

Mozilla's FAQ previously stated, "We don't and never will sell your personal data," but this was quietly removed from its website and documentation.<ref name="github-tos" /> Mozilla later stated that different legal jurisdictions, such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), had vague definitions of "data selling," which led them to revise this wording.<ref name="tos-update" />

Firefox collects telemetry data by default, including interaction metrics (such as the number of open tabs, visited webpages, & search partner referrals) & technical data (such as OS version, hardware specs, and crash reports).<ref name="telemetry">{{Cite web |title=Telemetry collection and deletion |url=https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/telemetry-clientid |website= Mozilla Support |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250228192345/https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/telemetry-clientid |archive-date=28 Feb 2025}}</ref> However, Mozilla clearly says that this data is only sent to Mozilla and does not explicitly mention sharing this with third parties<ref name="firefox-privacy">{{Cite web |title= Firefox Privacy Notice |url= https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/firefox/#notice |website= Mozilla |access-date=1 Mar 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260213162458/https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/ |archive-date=13 Feb 2026}}</ref> Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), a "sale" requires data to be transferred to a third party in exchange for monetary or other valuable consideration.<ref name="ccpa" /> Since Mozilla does not explicitly transfer telemetry data to third parties, it is unlikely to be classified as a "sale" under the CCPA. Users can opt out of telemetry data collection, and Mozilla deletes previously collected data within 30 days of opting out.<ref name="telemetry" />