Mozilla has updated its Firefox Terms of Use and Privacy Notice following significant backlash from users over concerns about data handling and privacy. The changes, introduced on February 27, 2025, aimed to clarify how Mozilla manages user data but inadvertently sparked confusion and criticism. Mozilla has since revised the language to address these concerns.
Revised Data Privacy Language:
Mozilla updated its FAQ to state: "Mozilla doesn't sell data about you and we don't buy data about you."
This nuanced wording acknowledges that while Mozilla may share aggregated or anonymised data with partners for Firefox's "commercial viability," it does not sell identifiable personal data. The change reflects evolving legal definitions of "data sales" in jurisdictions like California.
Terms of Use Controversy:
The initial Terms of Use included language granting Mozilla a "nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license" to use user-submitted information. Critics interpreted this as Mozilla claiming rights over everything users input into Firefox.
Mozilla clarified that this license only enables Firefox's core functionalities (e.g., processing URLs or searches) and does not give the company ownership of user data.
Removal of Explicit Promises:
Previous statements like "We don’t sell access to your data" were removed from Mozilla’s materials, fueling speculation about potential shifts in its data practices.
Mozilla explained that these changes were made to avoid misinterpretation amid increasingly broad legal definitions of "data sales."
Updated Terms:
The revised terms now explicitly state: "You give Mozilla the rights necessary to operate Firefox... This does not give Mozilla any ownership in that content."
References to an Acceptable Use Policy, which had caused additional confusion, were also removed.
The incident points out the challenges companies face in balancing transparency with legal compliance in an era of evolving privacy regulations. While Mozilla remains committed to privacy, the backlash underscores the importance of clear communication with users.
