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Privacy still top priority?

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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I am a long time user of Firefox (I remember the Netscape days...) Recently, I have come across rumblings about Firefox privacy defaults. At first i dismissed it as the usual whinging, but then i started to see what appears to almost be forks of Firefox. I have already ditched Thunderbird because of their nonsensical thread defaults. Surely, Firefox with its privacy focus wouldn't be making privacy decisions from collaboration with other browser companies like google & Microsoft? One of the early really great privacy innovations was in containers, but it is still an extension. Why? Because of the architecture of Chrome, its is not possible to have containers in chrome engined browsers. So is that why Mozilla didn't progress containers? Did the money from Google for default search engine (shame on you Mozilla) come with strings attached? I came across Librewolf which mostly use the Firefox code but with much more stringent privacy defaults, and with bundled ad blocker as part of the default installation. How can it claim to be more privacy focused than Firefox when it uses Firefox code? Firefox is supposedly the privacy focus browser so why is it following what Chrome and Edge do? They will NEVER gain lost market share by watering down their privacy settings which is the reason to even exist. It just antagonizes users like me. Or is that the point, a nice easy progression till oblivion and we all then accept an advertisement riddled internet.

I am a long time user of Firefox (I remember the Netscape days...) Recently, I have come across rumblings about Firefox privacy defaults. At first i dismissed it as the usual whinging, but then i started to see what appears to almost be forks of Firefox. I have already ditched Thunderbird because of their nonsensical thread defaults. Surely, Firefox with its privacy focus wouldn't be making privacy decisions from collaboration with other browser companies like google & Microsoft? One of the early really great privacy innovations was in containers, but it is still an extension. Why? Because of the architecture of Chrome, its is not possible to have containers in chrome engined browsers. So is that why Mozilla didn't progress containers? Did the money from Google for default search engine (shame on you Mozilla) come with strings attached? I came across Librewolf which mostly use the Firefox code but with much more stringent privacy defaults, and with bundled ad blocker as part of the default installation. How can it claim to be more privacy focused than Firefox when it uses Firefox code? Firefox is supposedly the privacy focus browser so why is it following what Chrome and Edge do? They will NEVER gain lost market share by watering down their privacy settings which is the reason to even exist. It just antagonizes users like me. Or is that the point, a nice easy progression till oblivion and we all then accept an advertisement riddled internet.

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Can I add to my original post by stating the reason for asking the question. We, the endusers, seem to have very little influence in the direction Firefox takes.

I BELIEVE THAT IS CERTAINLY DESIRED, PROVIDED MOZILLA HAS A CLEAR AND STATED DIRECTION (privacy).

But having said that I would hope that some notice is taken of the general consensus, if you like the mood or temper of the users. I can then make an informed decision on whether I decide to use or continue to use Firefox. I would like to think that at least some of the developers monitor the forums and may think on what I asked.

By the way I have nothing but admiration and respect for developers who give up their time and talents to endeavors such as Mozilla.

Also, not forgetting the users who donate time to helping others on forums like this.

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