With the latest Firefox build (42), due for release on 3rd November, Mozilla is taking a significant step in the battle against intrusive advertisers by adding a Tracking Protection option to its Private Browsing mode.
For years Mozilla has tried to get the advertising industry onside with a similar technology known as ‘Do Not Track’ but, alas, this voluntary system has not been widely embraced and has consequently proven far from successful. Now, with this new move, Mozilla is taking matters into its own hands.
The new Tracking Protection feature doesn’t appear to offer more or less than similar extensions which are already available; such as Ghostery or Privacy Badger, except that it will be, of course, built into the browser itself. In fact, Mozilla is using the popular add-on Disconnect’s blocking list to identify and block trackers.
- More information here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/tracking-protection-pbm
Essentially, with Firefox’s new tracking protection enabled, users won’t see the same ad following them around different websites, some ads will be blocked altogether, and analytic services will be prevented from collecting data.
It’s no secret that, with the rise of Google’s Chrome, Firefox is struggling to maintain relevance in the desktop browser market. Market share statistics from StatCounter and NetMarketShare show Firefox currently sitting at 9.8% and 11.46% respectively, a dramatic decline from its former glory days.
Will this move by Mozilla against intrusive advertising perhaps help entice users back to the fold?
I only love FIREFOX !
I have only used FF for years and years. However, I have read that FF is changing the “code?” used by independent add-on creators to be like Chrome, and many have said they will not re-write their add-ons to comply. One such add-on is Down Them All, which I use and love. When this happens, I will have to find a new browser, which I am not looking forward to. As much as I welcome this new enhancement from FF, I think their relevance will diminish in the not too distant future. So sad really.
Yes, we reported on the change to Firefox add-ons here: https://davescomputertips.com/firefox-add-ons-major-compatibility-changes-coming/
I love Firefox and don’t use any other browser, if I can help it. Chrome holds no appeal to me, whatsoever, and I wouldn’t touch a Microsoft browser with a ten meter pole. I will accept whatever changes come with Firefox. A bad day with Firefox is better than a good day with any other browser.