Mozilla has revised its Firefox Terms of Use for the second time within a week following criticism regarding language that appeared to grant the company rights over all user data. Earlier this week, Mozilla made modifications to the browser's Terms of Use, Privacy Notice, and FAQ. The company quickly encountered backlash, leading to a clarification that it does not assert ownership over user data.

Clarification from Mozilla Regarding Data Ownership  

The initial revision included a provision indicating that users granted Mozilla a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to process and utilize content uploaded via Firefox. This wording caused confusion, with some users interpreting it as a claim of ownership over their data by Mozilla. In response, the company removed these terms and clarified that it does not possess ownership of user content.

Ajit Varma, Mozilla's Vice President of Firefox Product, stated in an update that the original purpose was to elucidate how Firefox functions, but the phrasing unintentionally raised concerns. Consequently, Mozilla amended the Terms of Use to explicitly state, "this does not give Mozilla any ownership" of the data provided by users.

Changes in Privacy Commitment

Mozilla has revised its FAQ to align with its updated privacy policies. The previous statement in the Firefox FAQ asserted that the browser is “the only major browser backed by a not-for-profit that doesn't sell your personal data to advertisers.” The current version now states that Firefox “helps you protect your personal information,” suggesting a departure from Mozilla's previous commitment to not selling user data to advertisers.

Additionally, the FAQ's response regarding the cost of Firefox has been modified. It no longer claims, "we don't sell your personal data," but instead states, "you don't pay anything to use it." Varma clarified that this change is due to the differing interpretations of "sell" across various legal frameworks and emphasized that Mozilla does not engage in the buying or selling of personal data in the conventional sense.

These recent changes reflect the company's efforts to address user concerns and provide clearer information on how Firefox manages personal data, while still highlighting its status as a non-profit-backed browser.

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