06-21-2024 11:55 AM - edited 07-09-2024 01:20 PM
Hi folks,
In the next few days, we will start the Nightly experiment which provides easy access to AI services from the sidebar. This functionality is entirely optional, and it’s there to see if it’s a helpful addition to Firefox. It is not built into any core functionality and needs to be turned on by you to see it.
If you want to try the experiment, activate it via Nightly Settings > Firefox Labs (please see full instructions here).
We’d love to hear your feedback once you try out the feature, and we’re open to all your ideas and thoughts, whether it’s small tweaks to the current experience or big, creative suggestions that could boost your productivity and make accessing your favorite tools and services in Firefox even easier.
Thanks so much for helping us improve Firefox!
06-24-2024 04:42 PM
NO
09-07-2024 08:43 PM
My sentiments exactly. As soon as I heard about this garbage, I created an apt preferences file to lock in the firefox version to 129.*.
If anyone else is sick of having AI shoved in their faces by shady companies who like to make excuses for their poor behaviour, place the below in a file like /etc/apt/preferences.d/firefox_129 to ensure version 130 isn't installed during apt update. With Pin-Priority over 1000, the version will also be reverted if you accidentally installed the AI integration code already. Apt preference file content is between dashes.
------------------------
# Block AI integration garbage in version 130 from being installed
Package: firefox
Pin: version 129.*
Pin-Priority: 1100
------------------------
Tested the above with several debian clones ( mx, ubuntu, etc) and it worked as expected. I am sure there is a method for other package managers as well ( dnf, yum, etc).
09-08-2024 03:35 PM
Hey there can you give a few more directions on this?
the file path isn't quite clear enough for me to quite understand where this would be put (windows), and I'm not 100% sure what the file type would be (though I assume I could make in notepad++?)
09-08-2024 04:48 PM
Hey Kazard,
The method I highlighted above is for debian based linux distributions that use the apt package manager. It will not work on windows.
If you are looking for a similar method for windows, take a look at https://www.webnots.com/how-to-disable-automatic-update-in-firefox/
Please be advised, disabling updates is not for the faint of heart and strongly recommend that you have other defense in depth security measures in place before heading down this path and treat it as a temporary solution to buy time until other options can be identified.
You need to consider your threat posture and consider the risks between Firefox adding in AI integrations vs other browser based security risks and monitor closely before making the decision.
It is your computer and should have the ability to make those sort of choices yourself though which is why I provided the method to disable. Have a threat model in mind, consider the risks and make the decision wisely.
09-08-2024 09:04 PM
Thank you very much, and yes, I understand the risks. I will be keeping an eye on other projects and hope to swap over to an appropriate fork, once things are ready and I understand what I am doing better.
Cheers!
09-09-2024 10:07 AM
Is there an option to do this on EndeavorOS/arch based distros as well? (I assume you wouldn't know since you didn't say and said you tested on debian machines so I'm just gonna reply with this in the hopes that somebody else sees who knows xD)
09-12-2024 07:42 PM
I'd suggest to move to 128ESR version instead of freezing 129* version.
09-19-2024 07:26 PM
I could genuinely use this for school, if you don't like it just turn it off. This is useful to people who need and want the feature, not for people that will protest it even though they can turn it off in the settings like absolute IDIOTS. just let it be man, chill.
09-25-2024 07:54 PM
AI technology is ethically and morally wrong. It's not just about "turning it off".
09-27-2024 05:27 PM
Even if so, AI technology still exists whether or not there is a sidebar to use it in firefox. People who would use this are still just going to use AI regardless, just without the new features that are really helpful for some people.
09-07-2024 10:38 PM
As an FYI for the Firefox users who are less than pleased with the addition of AI integrations being added to the browser, it seems that the Librewolf team has confirmed the removal or strict UI disable of these features will be added to the Librewolf browser.
Reference: https://codeberg.org/librewolf/issues/issues/1919
Head on over, give the Librewolf team a big thank you and buy them a coffee for removing what should never have been added in the first place.
09-19-2024 07:29 PM
09-20-2024 06:59 PM
They are literally asking for our thoughts and opinions on it. Also, I would prefer they use their time and effort more wisely, than to create a feature that a majority of their users won't like or even have turned on
09-28-2024 06:57 AM
I am very happy to read this and also to know, that I am not the only one. Thks to remove.
09-08-2024 11:40 AM
That about sums it up. This AI BS can go jump in a freaking lake.
09-19-2024 07:29 PM
09-08-2024 03:36 PM
"NO"
- Well said. AI is hot garbage. Hot (we waste tons of water trying to cool it) garbage (actively detrimental to the digital space).
09-18-2024 03:46 AM
especially since the ai bull**bleep** we all know and detest today runs on the same graphics-intensive pollution machines that crypto and nfts do! it's hot garbage in every sense of the word!
09-09-2024 08:10 AM
My thoughts exactly. I moved to Firefox to avoid all the AI and privacy nonsense that other browsers have started to employ. I like Firefox, but I'll leave it behind too if this is implemented.
09-09-2024 02:32 PM
Right I will find a new browser so fast. I'm loyal to Firefox because they provide the services and safety I want, if that stops I'm gone.
09-11-2024 08:13 PM
Yup -- does anyone else have Firefox alternatives in case they don't listen to us?
09-19-2024 07:31 PM
09-19-2024 07:31 PM
09-19-2024 07:35 PM
Doesn't take long until that becomes opt-out, enabled by default. Later still, it will be integrated and you won't be able to turn it off.
LLMs are an environmental disaster.
09-09-2024 08:18 AM
Just stating the obvious and joining the thread: I don't want firefox to behave like every other browser around. The reason I use (and trust) firefox is exactly because it DOES NOT use my privacy as a business model and getting AI basically turns it into this. We all know what happens when you integrate the product initially as "it won't use your data" and what it evolves to. I'm dropping firefox if this madness continue and you can bet I will fork it or use a forked version with the removed feature.
09-12-2024 09:56 PM
Seeing that this has been in the pipeline for a while now, and they seem to be walking merrily ahead, that's disappointing. I wonder how much money someone's making off doing this to Firefox.
09-15-2024 01:51 AM
I wonder the same, is Mozilla getting paid by the "ai" companies?
Personally, I don't mind an easy to disable feature. But what the point for integrating something that can easily be accomplished with and extension. And there are plenty of websites you can goto with Firefox, that have "ai" chatbots.
Luckily, Vivaldi has spoken out against the trend of adding "ai" to their browser.
09-09-2024 12:47 PM
No such thing as good AI. It is, however, and excellent way to reduce security, increase copyright infringement, and decrease the number of people who will support Firefox/Mozilla.
09-11-2024 01:37 PM
This, this, this, a hundred times this. Not even counting the water usage and environmental impact.
09-11-2024 08:12 PM
Exactly!
09-09-2024 12:53 PM
Please concentrate on being a good secure web browser. No one wants this. This is a waste of time and resources
09-09-2024 05:31 PM
This!
09-14-2024 06:42 PM
agreed!!
09-09-2024 02:39 PM
NO! In other words...
DEATH TO AI! WE DON"T NEED THIS GROS MERDE!
No one asked for it. No one who cares about privacy wants it. To paraphrase HHGTTG: AI and anyone who thinks its a cool should be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.
This bowel excretion makes me so ANGRY! There is no reason to corrupt our beloved Firefox with bloat that it should simply be left to add-on writers to provide. AI driven chat bots etc. have no place in Firefox.
Rip it out it by its entrails and feed to the pigs!
Did I mention yet how disgusted, displeased, and supremely annoyed about this?
JUST SAY NO!
09-10-2024 04:09 AM
In french it's "grosse merde"
For the rest I totally agree. AI is totally unneeded bull**bleep**. Please stick to doing a great fast and secure browser !
09-16-2024 02:38 AM
Counterpoint.
Technology good 🙂
09-16-2024 11:36 PM - edited 09-16-2024 11:37 PM
Counterpoint: technology is ultimately neutral, but the way you use it and what it affects contributes to whether it's good or evil. And Generative AI is evil with how much it destroys both people's livelihoods and the environment as a whole.
(Edited to rephrase my point in a cleaner fashion.)
09-09-2024 06:07 PM
Agreed. AI feels antithetical to Firefox.
09-09-2024 08:39 PM
Best and easiest way to sum it up.