# 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.

- Website: https://www.firefox.com
- Source code: https://github.com/mozilla-firefox/firefox
- Jurisdiction: United States. Five Eyes member. Subject to the US CLOUD Act.
- Home page trackers: Google Tag Manager
- Category: [Browsers](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/)
- Also rated: [Firefox Private Relay](https://privacyratings.com/email-forwarding/firefox-private-relay/) (Email forwarding and aliases), [Firefox Focus](https://privacyratings.com/browsers/firefox-focus/) (Browsers), [Facebook Container](https://privacyratings.com/browser-extensions/facebook-container/) (Browser extensions), [Firefox Multi-Account Containers](https://privacyratings.com/browser-extensions/firefox-multi-account-containers/) (Browser extensions), [Mozilla VPN](https://privacyratings.com/vpns/mozilla-vpn/) (VPN providers), [Firefox Translations](https://privacyratings.com/translation/firefox-translations/) (Translation)
- Grade: D (48/100)

## Criteria

| Criterion | Answer | Note | Evidence |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Open source | Yes | MPL-2.0. | https://github.com/mozilla-firefox/firefox/blob/main/LICENSE |
| No trackers or telemetry | No | The home page loads Google Tag Manager (automated test), and the browser sends technical and interaction telemetry by default. | https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/firefox/ |
| No ads or data sales | No | Shows sponsored content on the New Tab page by default and shares de-identified data with advertising partners. Mainly funded by search engine deals. | https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/privacy/firefox/ |
| Independent audit | No | No independent audit is published. |  |
| Blocks trackers by default | Partial | Blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, cryptominers and known fingerprinters by default, but tracking content only in private windows or Strict mode. | https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enhanced-tracking-protection-firefox-desktop |
| Fingerprinting protection | Partial | Known fingerprinters are blocked by default, but fingerprinting data is only altered in private windows or Strict mode. | https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-protection-against-fingerprinting |
| No calls to big-tech services | Partial | Google Safe Browsing lists are downloaded by default. The feature can be turned off. | https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-does-phishing-and-malware-protection-work |
| Timely security updates | Yes | Mozilla publishes security fixes with each release, and Firefox installs updates automatically. | https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/ |

Source: https://privacyratings.com/browsers/firefox/
Edit: https://github.com/privacyratings/privacyratings.com/edit/main/ratings/browsers/firefox.md