Tor browser removing various Firefox AI features

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Tor, AI, and security/anonymity

  • Commenters broadly agree Tor Browser is right to strip Firefox’s AI features, given Tor’s goals of security, privacy, and anonymity.
  • Sending page content or prompts to third-party AI services is seen as fundamentally incompatible with Tor’s threat model; even user-supplied API keys could deanonymize users.
  • Some emphasize that only strictly local models might be acceptable, and even then they increase attack surface and complexity.

AI-everywhere backlash and hype

  • Many express fatigue with “AI in everything,” comparing it to past buzzword waves like “HD,” “cloud,” and “blockchain” slapped onto irrelevant products.
  • There’s strong suspicion that embedded AI is primarily a new data-collection and monetization vector, not a user benefit.

Firefox UX, popups, and accessibility

  • A long subthread debates filing bug tickets for intrusive Firefox popups (feature promos, translation CTAs, etc.).
  • One side frames this as “pouring sand in the gears” to push Mozilla away from user-hostile design.
  • Others say this wastes accessibility engineers’ time and conflates legitimate accessibility work with annoyance at modals and overlays.
  • General frustration with popups, marketing UI, and “feature nags” in browsers and apps is widespread.

Firefox AI features and configuration

  • Some users didn’t know Firefox had an AI sidebar until it was pushed in front of them; they dislike the surprise and default presence.
  • Others find the sidebar genuinely useful (e.g., summarizing papers, better translations, technical Q&A) and note it’s disabled by default and can be wired to local/own-hosted models via about:config.
  • There’s criticism that AI providers are hardcoded and the feature isn’t cleanly separated as an extension.

Firefox strategy, funding, and trust

  • Several feel Mozilla is “losing its way,” chasing trends like AI and Pocket instead of speed, stability, and open standards.
  • Others counter that Mozilla does respond to user feedback and adds real features (e.g., tab groups, split view, translation).
  • A recurring theme is distrust due to heavy funding from Google and high executive compensation, tied to Firefox’s small market share.
  • Some argue users should still support Firefox to avoid a Chrome/WebKit monoculture; others say continuing to use a product they dislike only removes pressure to improve.

Alternative browsers and forks

  • Waterfox, Zen, Orion, and others are mentioned as Firefox- or WebKit-based options that strip AI/telemetry or offer different UX.
  • Tor’s move is praised as setting a privacy-preserving example amid a wave of “AI browsers” seen as potential privacy/security nightmares.