Firefox Add-On Policy Changes 2021

blog.mozilla.org

53 points·msdrigg··11 comments

TLDR:

> We will no longer be accepting the collection of browsing activity data, unless it is part of the add-on’s primary function

> Add-ons with the sole purpose of promoting, installing, loading or launching another website, application or add-on are no longer permitted on addons.mozilla.org

> Encryption is now always required when communicating with remote services

What's the problem with the second category? That functionality doesn't sound particularly useful to me, but presumably the new rule is meant to disallow a category of specifically malicious add-ons?

People are submitting addons that do nothing but just redirect the browser to a web app instead of augmenting Firefox's functionality, essentially just using addons.mozilla.org for their marketing.

I dont know. I havent used these extensions, but I know of some that only redirect sites. Like redirecting reddit.com to teddit.net or old.reddit.com. It seems like a valid use case to me.

They're not talking about that kind of extension. They mean ones that are basically an overgrown bookmark, sometimes with added marketing.

Holy shit! Something POSITIVE out of Mozilla?! This is a year's first. Probably including the last 2 years as well.

Now (I know this is a high demand) ... maybe they could make it possible to actually find Add-Ons in the store.

Finally, a based move from Mozilla.

I clenched my cheeks reading the title. This was a relief.

> I clenched my cheeks reading the title.

I see I wasn't the only one.

Seems like a net win for the user. Good to see it.

Honestly, this means more than color schemes to core users.

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