{
  "slug": "waterfox",
  "category": "browsers",
  "name": "WaterFox",
  "description": "Firefox-based browser with telemetry, studies and sponsored content removed, and a built-in ad and tracker blocker. Available for desktop and Android.",
  "website": "https://www.waterfox.com",
  "source": "https://github.com/BrowserWorks/waterfox",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "GB",
    "name": "United Kingdom",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": true,
    "cloud_act": "agreement"
  },
  "pick": false,
  "pick_reason": null,
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "B",
  "score": 85,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "WaterFox scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the browsers criteria. It meets 6 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales, blocks trackers by default, no calls to big-tech services and timely security updates. It partly meets fingerprinting protection. It does not meet independent audit. It is based in the United Kingdom: Five Eyes member; GDPR-style data protection law; CLOUD Act data access agreement with the US.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/browsers/waterfox/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/browsers/waterfox/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://github.com/BrowserWorks/waterfox/blob/current/LICENSE",
      "note": "MPL-2.0 and other Mozilla licenses."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/docs/policies/privacy/",
      "note": "No telemetry or analytics. Telemetry modules are disabled at build time."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/docs/policies/privacy/",
      "note": "No sponsored content in the browser. Funded through search partner revenue sharing, not data sales."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "No independent audit is published."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "n/a",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Only applies to hosted services with a website to test."
    },
    "tracker_blocking": {
      "title": "Blocks trackers by default",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/docs/policies/privacy/",
      "note": "A built-in ad and tracker blocker with bundled filter lists works from first launch."
    },
    "fingerprinting_protection": {
      "title": "Fingerprinting protection",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/support/enhanced-tracking-protection/",
      "note": "Standard Enhanced Tracking Protection is the default. Stronger fingerprinting protections require Strict or custom settings."
    },
    "no_google_services": {
      "title": "No calls to big-tech services",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/docs/policies/privacy/",
      "note": "Google Safe Browsing is removed. Google's Widevine module is only downloaded when DRM video is played."
    },
    "security_updates": {
      "title": "Timely security updates",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.waterfox.com/releases/",
      "note": "Releases include Mozilla ESR security fixes, usually within about a week, and install through the built-in updater."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": null,
    "observatory": null,
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:00:36.494Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}