Mozilla just updated Firefox’s Terms of Use for the second time in just one week. This all started because a lot of people got worried that Mozilla might be claiming rights over their personal data. The confusion came after Mozilla changed their Terms of Use, Privacy Notice, and FAQ, and many users felt like the company was trying to own what they put into Firefox.
Mozilla Clears Up the Confusion About Data Ownership
At first, Mozilla had a part in their terms that made it sound like users were giving them a license to use anything uploaded through Firefox. That didn’t sit well with a lot of people, who thought Mozilla might be trying to take control over their data. After hearing the backlash, Mozilla quickly removed that part and explained clearly that they don’t own any of the stuff users upload.
Ajit Varma, who’s the Vice President of Firefox Product at Mozilla, said the wording was just meant to explain how Firefox works but ended up confusing everyone. Now, Mozilla’s Terms of Use plainly say that user data stays with the user — Mozilla doesn’t own or control it.
Updates to Mozilla’s Privacy Statements
Besides the Terms of Use, Mozilla also changed some things in their FAQ. Before, Firefox’s FAQ proudly said it’s “the only major browser backed by a not-for-profit that doesn’t sell your personal data to advertisers.” But now, that’s been softened to say Firefox just “helps you protect your personal information.”
They also removed the direct claim about not selling personal data from the section about Firefox being free. Now it just says, “you don’t pay anything to use it.” Mozilla explained that this change is because legal definitions of “sell” can be tricky. Still, they stressed that Mozilla doesn’t actually trade personal data in the usual way companies might.
In the end, Mozilla’s goal with these updates seems to be making things clearer and calming people’s worries about privacy — while still sticking to their promise not to misuse user data.
