Mozilla, the company behind the Firefox browser, made an update to its Terms of Use on Friday, marking its second revision within a week. This followed concerns raised about the wording in the previous version that suggested the company could claim rights over all information uploaded by users.
The updated Terms of Use now state:
You provide Mozilla with the required permissions to run Firefox. This includes processing your data as outlined in the Firefox Privacy Notice. It also includes a nonexclusive, royalty-free, global license to handle the content you input in Firefox as per your request. Mozilla does not claim ownership of your content.”
The earlier version, implemented on February 26, had said:
When you upload or enter data through Firefox, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, global license to utilize that information to help enhance your navigation, experience, and interaction with online content. as per your use of Firefox.”
These changes come shortly after Mozilla introduced its new Firefox Terms of Use and an updated Privacy Notice. The aim of these changes was to provide users with greater transparency regarding the company’s data handling practices.
Ajit Varma, Mozilla’s VP of Product, addressed the situation, saying: “We have listened to the concerns raised by our community, especially regarding the licensing clauses. Our goal was to be as clear as possible about how we operate Firefox, but we inadvertently created confusion and concern.”
Mozilla reassured users that it does not sell or purchase personal data. The changes were made because different regions have varying interpretations of the term “sell,” with some definitions including any exchange of data for monetary or other forms of value.
Additionally, Mozilla clarified that it collects and shares some data with partners through optional ads displayed on the New Tab page and sponsored suggestions in the search bar. This is done to ensure the company remains “commercially viable.”
The company also explained that, while it does not access conversations with third-party AI chatbots used via Firefox’s sidebar (and shortcut), it does collect technical and usage data about how this feature is engaged with. This helps improve the browser’s functionality.
Mozilla provided more detail on how data is shared with its partners. According to Varma: “Whenever we share data with our partners, we make significant efforts to ensure the data is either anonymized, shared in aggregate form, or processed using privacy-preserving technologies such as OHTTP.”
The revisions to Mozilla’s Terms of Use come at a time when privacy concerns are growing over new ad-tracking practices. Google’s recent policy changes, announced on February 16, 2025, have sparked regulatory scrutiny. These changes, which involve using IP addresses for fingerprinting users across platforms without needing to re-identify them, have drawn criticism from watchdog groups.
The U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has labeled these changes “irresponsible” and stated: “Organizations wishing to employ fingerprinting techniques for advertising must demonstrate how they are adhering to data protection laws. This includes ensuring transparency with users, obtaining freely given consent, and upholding fundamental privacy rights like the right to erasure.”
