"Trackers and adtech companies have long abused browser features to follow people around the web."
Is this a confesion.
Browsers, including Mozilla, have continually designed and kept those features enabled by default, even when they are aware of the abuse.[1]
Mozilla is nearly 100% funded by a deal with Google.
I try to forget these facts every time I read some public communication coming from Mozilla, but they just keep coming back.
1. Mozilla, or any of us (yeah, right), could rip out some of the fetaures that advertisers abuse and create a more "advertising-proof" version of Firefox.
Heck, we could create much smaller and faster Firefoxes. But no, there can be only one. Because reasons.
Take out that search bar and they would probably have to kiss the money from Google goodbye.
Getting rid of ads and tracking is not Mozilla's highest priority. Keeping online advertising alive is the highest priority because obvious reasons.
There is nothing in the contract we have with our ISP that says we must support online ads. That is the benefit of paying for something. There are actually terms and the possibility for enforcement.
Mozilla's ad-supported web has no terms. None that web users can enforce. Internet subscribers using "the web" have no power. Advertisers call the shots.
I think that's a little harsh. The same article describes using image caches as a means of tracking users across domains. Would you consider image caching one of the technologies developed solely for the purpose of selling ads that your theoretical perfect browser should rip out?
Browsers are essentially entire operating systems at this point. Ad companies hire engineers. It's inevitable that this engineers will find exploits. Your stance seems to completely ignore this fact. If it would be so easy to create your perfect, user centric, privacy first browser, why haven't you made it yourself?
Is this a confesion.
Browsers, including Mozilla, have continually designed and kept those features enabled by default, even when they are aware of the abuse.[1]
Mozilla is nearly 100% funded by a deal with Google.
I try to forget these facts every time I read some public communication coming from Mozilla, but they just keep coming back.
1. Mozilla, or any of us (yeah, right), could rip out some of the fetaures that advertisers abuse and create a more "advertising-proof" version of Firefox. Heck, we could create much smaller and faster Firefoxes. But no, there can be only one. Because reasons.
Take out that search bar and they would probably have to kiss the money from Google goodbye.
Getting rid of ads and tracking is not Mozilla's highest priority. Keeping online advertising alive is the highest priority because obvious reasons.
There is nothing in the contract we have with our ISP that says we must support online ads. That is the benefit of paying for something. There are actually terms and the possibility for enforcement.
Mozilla's ad-supported web has no terms. None that web users can enforce. Internet subscribers using "the web" have no power. Advertisers call the shots.