Browsers
Firefox privacy rating
Mozilla's open-source browser, built on its own Gecko engine rather than Chromium. Supports a wide range of extensions and extensive customization.
Summary
Firefox scores 48 out of 100 (grade D) on the browsers criteria. It meets 2 of 8 criteria: open source and timely security updates. It partly meets blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services. It does not meet no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and independent audit. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act.
Score 48 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
- Yes
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No
No trackers or telemetry Weight 3 of 3
Are the website and apps free of third-party trackers, with any analytics anonymous and any telemetry off by default?
The home page loads Google Tag Manager (automated test), and the browser sends technical and interaction telemetry by default.
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No
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Shows sponsored content on the New Tab page by default and shares de-identified data with advertising partners. Mainly funded by search engine deals.
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No
Independent audit Weight 2 of 3
Has an independent security or privacy audit been published within the last three years?
No independent audit is published.
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Partial
Blocks trackers by default Weight 3 of 3
Are third-party trackers blocked by default, without installing extensions?
Blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, cryptominers and known fingerprinters by default, but tracking content only in private windows or Strict mode.
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Partial
Fingerprinting protection Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser defend against fingerprinting by default?
Known fingerprinters are blocked by default, but fingerprinting data is only altered in private windows or Strict mode.
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Partial
No calls to big-tech services Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser work without background connections to Google, Microsoft or Apple services?
Google Safe Browsing lists are downloaded by default. The feature can be turned off.
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Yes
Timely security updates Weight 3 of 3
Are security fixes from the upstream engine shipped quickly and automatically?
Mozilla publishes security fixes with each release, and Firefox installs updates automatically.