Recently, Mozilla revised Firefox’s Terms of Use to address handling user data, which was seen as giving Mozilla broad ownership of user data. Mozilla later updated the terms to clarify that they do not “own” user data.
The original clause at issue read: “When you upload or enter information through Firefox, you hereby grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use that information to help you browse, experience, and interact with online content in the way you use Firefox.” Now, that paragraph has been removed, and the new clause reads: “You give Mozilla the rights it needs to operate Firefox.” This includes the processing of your data in the manner described in the Firefox Privacy Statement, as well as the non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license granted to process the content you enter into Firefox at your request. This does not give Mozilla ownership of the content.”
Mozilla explains, “We’ve been listening to community concerns about some parts of the Terms of Use, especially about licensing. We intended to make it as clear as possible how Firefox works. Still, it caused some confusion and concern along the way.” Mozilla also cited reasons for no longer using general statements such as “we never sell your data”, noting that “in some places, the legal definition of ‘data sales’ is broad and evolving”, which makes “many businesses uncertain about their exact obligations and whether it is considered ‘sales data’”.
Mozilla acknowledges that “there are several places where we collect and share certain data with our partners” to keep Firefox “commercially viable,” but stresses that these are clearly set out in the Privacy Statement and that efforts have been made to remove information that could identify individuals or share data in aggregate.
