Firefox introduces TOS: Difference between revisions
m remove issue 2 from notice |
added information on consumer complaints and their relevancy |
||
| Line 86: | Line 86: | ||
|archive-date=27 Feb 2025 | |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>https://orbitbymozilla.com/</ref> | }}</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>https://orbitbymozilla.com/</ref> | ||
===AI training concerns=== | |||
*'''Mozilla’s original TOU could have allowed AI training on user input''': Mozilla's wording in their first round of TOS changes granted Mozilla a "nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license" to "use" user input, without specifying clear limitations.<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 | |||
}}</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 | |||
}}</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 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
===Date of effect=== | ===Date of effect=== | ||
| Line 103: | Line 125: | ||
Before its removal, this is what the section said:<blockquote>Does Firefox sell your personal data? | Before its removal, this is what the section said:<blockquote>Does Firefox sell your personal data? | ||
| Line 123: | Line 146: | ||
|url-status=live | |url-status=live | ||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
*'''Mozilla’s Terms of Use no longer prohibit selling user data''': Previously, Mozilla’s FAQ explicitly stated, "Nope. Never have, never will," regarding selling user data, but this statement was quietly removed.<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 | |||
}}</ref> Mozilla justified this by pointing to broad legal definitions under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which define "selling data" as any transfer of data for "valuable consideration," even if anonymized.<ref name="ccpa">{{cite web | |||
|title= CCPA Full Text | |||
|url= https://www.osano.com/resources/ccpa | |||
|website= Osano | |||
|access-date=1 Mar 2025 | |||
}}</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">{{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 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
==Mozilla's response== | ==Mozilla's response== | ||
| Line 139: | Line 183: | ||
Mozilla have also provided explanation for why they changed their FAQ. 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 have also provided explanation for why they changed their FAQ. 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. | ||
==Community Concerns & Digging into the validity of them== | |||
Mozilla’s Terms of Use & Privacy Policy update led to loud public protest over them. Here is an analysis of the primary concerns raised by the Firefox community: | |||
===Valid Concerns=== | |||
*'''Vague licensing language in the TOU''': 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 | |||
}}</ref> This was later revised after backlash.<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 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
*'''Mozilla removed explicit language about not selling user data''': 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">{{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 | |||
}}</ref> 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" /> | |||
*'''Users were not notified before the TOU changes took effect''': Mozilla announced the new terms on February 26, 2025, but they had already taken effect by February 25, 2025.<ref name="tos-announce">{{cite web | |||
|title= Introducing a terms of use and updated privacy notice for Firefox | |||
|url= https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/firefox-terms-of-use/ | |||
|website= Mozilla Blog | |||
|date=26 Feb 2025 | |||
|access-date=1 Mar 2025 | |||
}}</ref> | |||
*'''Lack of clarity on why Mozilla needs a license to user input''': Users questioned why Mozilla needed licensing rights over user input when browsers have worked for 25+ years without these terms.<ref name="connect" /> | |||
===Concerns Likely Based on Misinterpretation=== | |||
*'''Mozilla will log & track all user browsing data''': Some users assumed the TOU granted Mozilla unlimited access to browsing history.<ref name="connect" /> However, Mozilla’s privacy policy still states that it does not store user browsing history or personal data beyond necessary telemetry.<ref name="tos-announce" /> | |||
Mozilla tried to clarify where they stand on data privacy, but the way they've written their terms as well as the manner in which they communicated them has resulted in user protest & distrust. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||