Mozilla is relaunching the second version of Firefox Pioneer, the program that collects user data when the user opts-into the study. The organization further uses the gathered data to improve future Firefox versions.
If you’ve installed Firefox and if your Firefox browser’s data collection settings have “Allows Firefox to install and run Studies” option enabled, then you’re participating in studies conducted by Mozilla and you’re sharing some sensitive data with them.
The difference between Pioneer v1 and v2 is, former requires an extension to be installed in Firefox. The latter has been integrated into Firefox 81 and will be available to participants in the US only.
Mozilla says participants will be asked to share age and geography and other demographic information.
How to join and leave Firefox Pioneer v2
To join Firefox Pioneer v2, you need to visit about:pioneer page and click on the “Get started” button followed by accepting the Pioneer Privacy consent notice, and then, you can join the study by clicking option provided at bottom of page.
You can leave Pioneer at any time by clicking the button provided on top of the program page.
Currently, the available ‘demo study‘ when joined, collects date and time. When you click on the Pioneer icon on the toolbar, the study will send an encrypted ping to Mozilla servers.
Disable studies in Firefox
If you’ve any privacy concerns or if you don’t want to participate in any study and send data to Mozilla, then
- Launch Firefox browser,
- Click on menu > Settings
- Privacy and security > Firefox data collection and use,
- Uncheck “Allow Firefox to install and run studies”
The about:pioneer page available on Firefox (81) Nightly provides more information about the program and the study and other details.
It’s not clear or is very uncertain how these studies and the data gathered from users participated in the studies, will actually help Mozilla in building new Firefox features.
What’s your take on Firefox Pioneer v2? Let us know your opinions in the comments below.
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