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Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

support.mozilla.org

331–340 of 721 posts

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#331
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, it really sucks. I've been using Firefox for 15 years or so but this shit is just so discouraging. Can't we have one piece of good software that doesn't try to shove "relevant" "suggestions" from "trusted" "partners" down our throats? I just want a browser that isn't controlled by the ad mafia.

A browser is expensive. Currently Firefox is funded (though not controlled) by Google's Ad business. I am all for them reducing their reliance on Google's Ad business. In this sense this is a step _towards_ what you want. I really really dislike them double speaking about this though.

Maybe, just maybe, it's possible to have a funding model that isn't a derivative of a newspaper from 1927.

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#332
post #300
post #276

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mozilla takes hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue a year. For decades it hired its engineers from the single most expensive place on earth to hire an engineer, the Bay Area. It boosted CEO pay into the millions shortly before laying off a big chunk of its engineering team. If they had taken the cash they spent on "diversifying their revenue streams" (i.e. getting distracted by side projects while their moneyma…

I'm one of those five, and I'm not switching. Chromium is tainted, Brave is outright corrupt, and IceCat is seriously unpractical (they don't even build Windows binaries, because ideology beats practicality for them). Do I hate the current exec team? Fuck yes. Do I have any serious alternative? Effectively, no. Am I a hostage? Sadly, a bit. I hope people with the power to influence this state of thing will, sooner or…

> Brave is outright corrupt

I am sure I will regret asking... but why do you think that?

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#333

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They've not stopped updating that page; it just takes longer than you would otherwise expect to get final numbers, prepare the reports, run them past auditors, etc. The 2019 statements were published in October of 2020, so I'd expect the 2020 numbers some time this month. It's also worth noting that there is a strict separation between the Mozilla Foundation (the tax exempt non-profit) and Mozilla Corporation (the wh…

> It's also worth noting that there is a strict separation between the Mozilla Foundation (the tax exempt non-profit) and Mozilla Corporation (the wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary which builds Firefox). The Foundation is not directly involved in the creation of Firefox. Wow I didn't know that. I always assumed Firefox was developed by a non-profit. So it basically means that Firefox is a commercial product (the pu…

All of the Mozilla Corporation's profits are reinvested in Mozilla, being a nonprofit charity caused tax issues that caused them to spin off the Mozilla Corporation.

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#334

It’s sucky and I particularly hate ads percolating to every part if my life, BUT how are they meant to support Firefox and other software without a revenue stream? Mozilla seems to attract criticism for how they run the whole operation, I can’t tell how correct it is, but even if they run it perfectly they still need revenue.

Have they tried setting up a Patreon?

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#335
post #220
post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. I am completely fine with them trying to run their own ads. It's much better than indirectly funding them through Googles Ads. But just be upfront about what you're doing. This extends to the splash screen as well. No "disable ads" button just "not now" or "settings". In contrast the settings dialogue looks fine.

I really hate this as well. If there is a "not now" button, why is there no "no and do not remind me, ever" button, too?

And the no button needs to be equal prominence (size, location) with the yes button, not hidden away.

I understand Mozilla needs money but it is very disappointing to see them do the same dark user patterns as other tech companies.

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#336

So, where's the fork that removes this shit and keeps up with upstream?

Librewolf, although it does have its own problems, such as IPv6 (wtf), WebGL and WebRTC being disabled by default.

Perhaps it's time to revive the IceWeasel. Actually, I wonder how Debian will handle this situation...

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#337
post #34

Meh, the feature is easily deactivable, the settings are clear and extensive. As far as ads go, it's one of the best implementations. Firefox still has no alternative in the privacy / user-centric space (don't mention Brave, I'm gonna get mad). Mozilla has done a lot for the web, I can give them some slack for exploring different revenue models. Still, I'm going to keep on eye for this kind of practices in the future…

> Firefox still has no alternative in the privacy / user-centric space Safari.

It's not even open source.

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#338

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Brave's business model is based on crypto-speculation. Think of the type of business involved with that, and there's your answer.

And Firefox's business model is based on Ads - both models are just as scummy as each other.

Not really. The ads are just annoying. The cryptocurrency implies fraud.

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#339
For those that are saying things like "Google/Microsoft etc. are worse" and other such pseudo-justifications: You are missing the point!

Mozilla is now in exactly the same camp as Microsoft, Google and all the other spyware companies. There is no "worse" any more! Their rhetoric uses the same language and tactics as the others therefore they are the same now. Their plan is to monetize your web views, just like Google. This change is absolutely not for your benefit. Not even a little bit!

They have crossed a line. A massive line imo!

Firefox held the torch for companies in the "internet space" (couldn't think of a better term) on how to do things without bending your users over and telling them it's for their own good. But no more.

This is the end for Mozilla for a group of people that absolutely care about privacy and (total speculation incoming!) the beginning of the end for Mozilla in general. For a number of years, their userbase clearly was more interested in privacy over speed and features but if the playing field is now levelled (in terms of lack of privacy!), then the obvious choice is no longer FF these days as Chrome and Edge are faster.

I've watched them over the years become worse, bit by dark-patterned bit. This is a huge leap into a steaming pile of privacy shit though and a clear sign they are circling the drain.

Still, I have no idea what to do! Hopefully there sill be a way to turn it off but they've laid their cards on the table now...

Re: Mozilla to put ads in Firefox address bar suggestions

#340

Mozilla wants funding? Here's an idea. Track down the corporations using Firefox and convert them to paying customers. I'll start with the two I know off the top of my head: * CVS * Lowes

I don't see this happening unless they have a very specific reason to use Firefox. If only support contracts were a thing for browsers, a la Red Hat/RHEL.
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