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Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

macrumors.com

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Re: Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

#11

Post by JoshTriplett »

comex wrote: post #5
blue_sauce_bean wrote: post #3

I'm worried that this will require yet another config change on top of the already-ridiculous pile. (A listing was discussed 3 months ago at https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45696752 )

If you click through you can see that the new feature includes a single toggle to turn off all current and future AI.

That's the third-best design they could have. Second-best would be having a toggle to turn on AI. Best would be going back to building a browser and leaving out the AI entirely, or putting it in some other product that they only consider funding after they get back to 50% market share for the browser.

Re: Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

#16

Post by cranberryturkey »

The real question is whether this sets a precedent for how browsers should handle feature creep in general. Browsers have quietly accumulated telemetry, sponsored content, pocket integrations, VPN upsells — AI is just the latest.

What I like about Mozilla's approach here is the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config flags. If every new feature category got this treatment (a clear, discoverable off switch), browsers would be in a much better place trust-wise.

The deeper issue is that Mozilla needs revenue diversification beyond the Google search deal, and AI features are their bet on that. So the incentive to make the toggle hard to find or slowly degrade the non-AI experience will always be there. I'd love to see them prove that wrong.

Re: Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

#17

Post by yicmoggIrl »

cranberryturkey wrote: post #16

The real question is whether this sets a precedent for how browsers should handle feature creep in general. Browsers have quietly accumulated telemetry, sponsored content, pocket integrations, VPN upsells — AI is just the latest. What I like about Mozilla's approach here is the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config fl…

> the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config flags

My thought exactly! I'm grateful that Mozilla isn't hiding the features behind dark config UI patterns.

Re: Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

#19

Post by thisislife2 »

yicmoggIrl wrote: post #17
cranberryturkey wrote: post #16

The real question is whether this sets a precedent for how browsers should handle feature creep in general. Browsers have quietly accumulated telemetry, sponsored content, pocket integrations, VPN upsells — AI is just the latest. What I like about Mozilla's approach here is the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config fl…

> the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config flags My thought exactly! I'm grateful that Mozilla isn't hiding the features behind dark config UI patterns.

They can't afford to, or they would have. With ads in the browser, telemetry that doesn't really switch off, etc. etc. their brand value has really fallen.

Re: Firefox Getting New Controls to Turn Off AI Features

#20

Post by LoganDark »

giantfrog wrote: post #18
crabmusket wrote: post #10

Why are there controls to turn off AI features, but no controls to turn on AI features?

Because Firefox users have been clamoring for the ability to turn them off rather than the opposite.

I think they're asking why it has to be opt-out rather than opt-in.
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