Mozilla revamps adblocking efforts for Firefox

Mozilla revamps adblocking efforts for Firefox

Mozilla just released a refreshed version of Private Browsing for Firefox beta testers and developers, and it’s available within the latest Firefox Developer Edition, across multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Android smartphone users of the developer kit can try it out on Firefox Aurora for Android too.

This addresses an ongoing issue with browsers that do not honor the Do Not Track privacy setting on the users’ end. Apparently, there’s no agreement on what DNT really is about, although the common layperson would agree that it’s creepy how websites can recommend advertisements based on your recent online searches (looking at you, Facebook).

With the new update, a person’s browsing data that uniquely identifies them through the use of cookies or other technologies such as fingerprinting will not be included by tracking domains. While the old versions of Firefox browser had the DNT function, Mozilla now makes sure that third-party sites or companies will have no choice but to honor your preference.

“Honoring this setting is voluntary — individual websites are not required to respect it. Websites that do honor this setting should automatically stop tracking your behavior without any further action from you”, as written on their Support page and manual for turning up the DNT setting.

This means that turning on the DNT function is no longer cosmetic or futile – just like how when Google first launched their DNT add-on in developer mode (and being one of the last popular browsers to do so) by simply adding a command line to their code which can be ignored by persistent companies and advertisers.

Besides shutting out prying eyes for good, the latest developer browser by Mozilla also enforces safer add-on and extensions to the browser, by forcing the browser to only install verified add-ons by default (it can be turned off if you like living dangerously). Add-ons are verified through a process that also involves add-on developers, ensuring everyone stays updated, and more importantly, have their privacy needs respected.

Want to try the new DNT feature? You don’t actually need to develop any software to use it. Here you go.

Source: PCWorld