Mozilla Phases Out “Do Not Track” in Firefox Due to Privacy Concerns
In a move that’s bound to disappoint privacy-conscious users, Mozilla has removed the “Do Not Track” feature from its Firefox browser starting with version 135. The setting, once a privacy advocate’s tool, is now deemed ineffective and, in some cases, even detrimental to privacy.
The “Do Not Track” setting was introduced in 2011 following a prototype that was developed in 2009, as a way to limit online tracking. The idea behind it was simple: a way for users to tell websites not to track their browsing habits. However, over the years, the setting has become largely ignored by websites, and in some cases, it has even undermined privacy by giving users a false sense of security. Mozilla cited this lack of support as the reason behind its removal.
Instead of the outdated “Do Not Track” setting, Mozilla now recommends using the “Tell websites not to sell or share my data” feature via Global Privacy Control. While this transition might mark the end of an era for “Do Not Track,” the move could signal a shift toward more robust and reliable privacy options for Firefox users.