- NOYB Files Complaint: The advocacy group NOYB has officially accused Mozilla of secretly tracking users through its Firefox browser by enabling a controversial privacy feature without proper consent.
- User Rights Under Fire: The privacy-preserving attribution (PPA) feature, turned on by default, raises serious concerns about user autonomy and compliance with EU privacy laws.
- Mozilla’s Reputation at Stake: Once a leading choice for privacy-conscious users, Firefox is struggling to compete in the market, and NOYB is calling for transparency and an opt-in system to restore user trust.
The Vienna-based advocacy group NOYB has lodged a formal complaint with the Austrian data protection authority against Mozilla, the maker of the Firefox browser. NOYB claims that Mozilla has been tracking user behavior on various websites without obtaining the necessary consent. The group argues that a recently introduced feature known as privacy-preserving attribution (PPA) has effectively transformed Firefox into a tracking tool, functioning without adequately informing users about its operation.
According to NOYB, the PPA feature, while intended to combat invasive advertising practices, is still problematic as it infringes on user rights under European privacy laws. The group highlights that Mozilla has enabled this feature by default, which raises concerns about user autonomy. This situation has sparked criticism, particularly from privacy advocates who believe that users should have a clear choice regarding their data and how it is used.
Felix Mikolasch, a data protection lawyer at NOYB, expressed disappointment in Mozilla’s approach, suggesting that it undermines users’ capacity to make informed decisions. He emphasized that the feature should not be activated without user consent and that Mozilla’s assumption about user understanding is misguided. This stance reflects a broader sentiment within the digital rights community that advocates for transparency and user control over personal data.
Historically, Firefox was recognized for its robust privacy features and was a preferred choice for many users. However, it has since lost ground to competitors like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge, now struggling with a low single-digit market share. The shift in user preference highlights the challenges Mozilla faces in maintaining its reputation as a privacy-focused browser in an increasingly competitive landscape.
NOYB is demanding that Mozilla take corrective actions, including informing users about its data processing practices, implementing an opt-in system for the PPA feature, and deleting any unlawfully processed data affecting millions of users. This complaint follows NOYB’s ongoing efforts to hold major tech companies accountable for privacy violations, as evidenced by their previous actions against Alphabet for similar concerns regarding user tracking in Chrome.
