Mozilla Introduces “Terms of Use” to Firefox, Faces Backlash Over Unclear Language
The criticism stemmed from Mozilla’s confusing jargon in drafting its new terms, specifically with the way they handled user data. To most, accepting these terms was interpreted as having to give Mozilla complete freedom over whatever they wanted to do with their data. This “data” was anything that the user inputs or uploads into Firefox. The section from Firefox’s new Terms of Use, which was dubbed troublesome, is as follows:
Mozilla Revises Firefox’s Terms of Use, Clarifies That It Does Not Sell User Data
In light of the backlash, Mozilla has re-written its “Terms of Use” to better word their new policies. In the updated document, they mentioned that the change is to be more transparent in allowing users to give the company rights only to operate the service and not to use it elsewhere. They’ve emphasized on how these terms don’t grant Mozilla complete ownership of a user’s data. Nope. Never have, never will. And we protect you from many of the advertisers who do. Firefox products are designed to protect your privacy. That’s a promise. The updated terms state:
The Shift is Evident.
Time in and again, discussion has sprung up on online forums regarding how Mozilla, being non-profit, would sustain itself. With the way the entire situation has escalated in the past week or so, it appears the leadership has taken some bold and difficult decisions, potentially undermining the brand-image it has set over the past two decades, or so. Even with Mozilla trying to clarify their stance, it’s obvious how the position they’re taking is to dub the user itself as the one “misunderstanding” the terms. Firefox removing bits of its “promises” for commitment to privacy with unclear use of language in a Terms of Service agreement clearly points to a shift in what the company stands for. This is all we know for now, but rest assured that we will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
