Browsers
WaterFox privacy rating
Firefox-based browser with telemetry, studies and sponsored content removed, and a built-in ad and tracker blocker. Available for desktop and Android.
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.
Score 85 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
-
Yes
Open source Weight 3 of 3
Is all the source code needed to run the product public?
MPL-2.0 and other Mozilla licenses.
-
Yes
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?
No telemetry or analytics. Telemetry modules are disabled at build time.
-
Yes
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
No sponsored content in the browser. Funded through search partner revenue sharing, not data sales.
-
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.
-
Yes
Blocks trackers by default Weight 3 of 3
Are third-party trackers blocked by default, without installing extensions?
A built-in ad and tracker blocker with bundled filter lists works from first launch.
-
Partial
Fingerprinting protection Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser defend against fingerprinting by default?
Standard Enhanced Tracking Protection is the default. Stronger fingerprinting protections require Strict or custom settings.
-
Yes
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 is removed. Google's Widevine module is only downloaded when DRM video is played.
-
Yes
Timely security updates Weight 3 of 3
Are security fixes from the upstream engine shipped quickly and automatically?
Releases include Mozilla ESR security fixes, usually within about a week, and install through the built-in updater.