Mozilla Responds To Backlash Over New Terms, Saying It's Not Using People's Data for AI

Mozilla has denied allegations that its new Firefox browser terms of service allow it to harvest user data for artificial intelligence training, following widespread criticism of the recently updated policy language. The controversy erupted after Firefox introduced terms that grant Mozilla 'a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use that information' when users upload content through the browser, prompting competitor Brave Software's CEO Brendan Eich to suggest a business pivot toward data monetization.

'These changes are not driven by a desire by Mozilla to use people's data for AI or sell it to advertisers,' Mozilla spokesperson Kenya Friend-Daniel told TechCrunch. 'Our ability to use data is still limited by what we disclose in the Privacy Notice.' The company clarified that its AI features operate locally on users' devices and don't send content data to Mozilla. Any data shared with advertisers is provided only on a 'de-identified or aggregated basis,' according to the spokesperson. Mozilla explained it used specific legal terms -- 'nonexclusive,' 'royalty-free,' and 'worldwide' -- because Firefox is free, available globally, and allows users to maintain control of their own data.

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