What's Happening?
Mozilla has announced a new requirement for all new Firefox extensions to declare their data collection and transmission practices. This change, effective next week, mandates that developers use a specific key in the manifest file to disclose these practices. The
requirement applies only to new extensions, not updates to existing ones. Developers must use the browser_specific_settings.gecko.data_collection_permissions key in the manifest.json file to specify data collection capabilities. Extensions that do not collect or transmit personal data must indicate this by setting the 'none required' data collection permission. This information will be visible to users during the installation process and on the addons.mozilla.org page if the extension is publicly listed. Additionally, users will see these details on the Firefox about:addons page under the Permissions and Data section.
Why It's Important?
This move by Mozilla aims to enhance transparency and user trust by providing clear information about data practices associated with Firefox extensions. As privacy concerns continue to grow, this requirement could influence user decisions and potentially increase the adoption of Firefox as a browser of choice for privacy-conscious users. Developers who fail to comply with these new rules will not be able to submit their extensions for signing on addons.mozilla.org, which could limit their reach and impact. This policy could set a precedent for other browsers, encouraging a broader industry shift towards greater transparency in data collection practices.
What's Next?
Starting next year, all Firefox extensions, not just new ones, will be required to use the data_collection_permissions keys. This indicates a phased approach by Mozilla to ensure comprehensive compliance across all extensions. Developers will need to adapt to these changes to continue offering their extensions on the Firefox platform. The broader tech community may watch closely to see if other browsers adopt similar policies, potentially leading to industry-wide changes in how browser extensions handle data collection disclosures.
