Disable AI in Firefox

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Reaction to Firefox’s AI Features

  • Many see the new AI panel and text‑selection popups as “enshittification”: clutter they don’t want, enabled by default and pushed via UI prompts.
  • Some long‑time users say this is “the last straw” and are moving to other browsers (Vivaldi, Waterfox, Mullvad Browser, qutebrowser, etc.).
  • Others think people are overreacting: AI is local-first, you must explicitly connect it to a service, and it’s just another feature that can be ignored or turned off.

How to Disable & Limitations

  • The article’s about:config tip (browser.ml.enable = false) is welcomed; people also note needed extras:
    • browser.ml.chat.enabled = false
    • browser.ml.chat.menu = false
  • Some report context-menu AI options remain until they’re explicitly hidden via the UI.
  • Concern that Mozilla will later split/rename flags, making a single “off” switch fragile.
  • Users note additional AI-related defaults like an @perplexity search shortcut, which they manually remove.

Firefox Quality, Features & Customization

  • Mixed views: some say Firefox is still performant, standards‑compliant, with good ad‑blocking and vertical tabs; others complain about regressions and UI annoyances (sponsored tiles reappearing, limited keyboard shortcut customization).
  • A long AppleScript subthread: one camp says lack of AppleScript support is a blocker for serious automation on macOS, and Mozilla’s handling of related bugs is poor; the opposing camp argues AppleScript is niche/bad tech and not worth the maintenance burden.

Alternatives & Engine Monoculture

  • Suggestions include Brave, Waterfox, Librewolf, Mullvad Browser, Vivaldi, Orion, Ladybird.
  • Brave is controversial: some call it privacy‑centric “de‑Googled Chromium”; others see it as scammy or still dependent on Google’s engine.
  • Several emphasize that Chromium monoculture is dangerous; a truly independent engine (Gecko, future Ladybird) is important even if feature‑lagging.

Mozilla’s Strategy, Money & Management

  • Repeated criticism that Mozilla chases gimmicks (AI, Pocket, VPNs) instead of strengthening the core browser.
  • Financial context: heavy dependence on Google search deals; some argue this pressures Mozilla to boost engagement and accept questionable defaults.
  • CEO compensation is cited as disproportionate to Mozilla’s precarious state.
  • Some defend Mozilla: modern browser development is enormously complex and expensive; it’s “admirable” Firefox exists at all.
  • Debate over forking Firefox:
    • Skeptics note you can fork code but not funding, update channels, or engineers.
    • Supporters argue forks like Waterfox/Librewolf show Mozilla’s bad decisions can be undone; propose user‑driven bounty systems for features, though others doubt such models scale.

Attitudes Toward AI in Software Generally

  • Many are tired of AI being injected everywhere (e.g., Acrobat’s AI summarizing sheet music, OS/browser popups), and want simple, non‑AI tools.
  • Some are fine with small, on‑device models for tasks like translation, tab grouping, or accessibility (PDF alt‑text), provided nothing is sent to servers.
  • There’s skepticism that AI can reliably detect or correct bias; generating manipulation is seen as easier than detecting it.
  • A minority enjoys AI in Firefox, sees it as useful and unobtrusive, and views the backlash as anti‑AI hysteria.