Browsers
Zen Browser privacy rating
Firefox-based desktop browser with vertical tabs, workspaces, split view and a compact interface. Mozilla telemetry is removed.
Summary
Zen Browser scores 73 out of 100 (grade C) on the browsers criteria. It meets 4 of 8 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and timely security updates. It partly meets blocks trackers by default, fingerprinting protection and no calls to big-tech services. It does not meet independent audit.
Score 73 out of 100. How scoring works
Criteria
- Yes
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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?
Telemetry and crash reporting from Firefox are removed, and no third-party trackers are used.
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Yes
No ads or data sales Weight 2 of 3
Is the product funded without advertising, ad targeting or selling user data?
Funded by donations. The privacy policy says data is not sold.
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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?
Uses Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection in Standard mode, which blocks social trackers and cross-site cookies but not all tracking content.
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Partial
Fingerprinting protection Weight 2 of 3
Does the browser defend against fingerprinting by default?
Known fingerprinters are blocked, but fingerprinting data is only altered in Strict mode or private windows.
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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?
Firefox background connections, including Google Safe Browsing lists, remain and can be turned off in about:config.
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Yes
Timely security updates Weight 3 of 3
Are security fixes from the upstream engine shipped quickly and automatically?
Releases follow each Firefox release within days, and the browser updates itself.