The Firefox browser is gaining options to turn off AI enhancements, Mozilla said today. Firefox users who prefer to browse without artificial intelligence will be able to turn off several AI features…
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Of all the unnecessary AI integrations; firefox is the one I am least concerned or annoyed about. I will however be disabling anything AI related they introduce.
The presence of the code itself is a threat. There's no good reason it shouldn't be an extension, beholden to all the same "security" restrictions other extensions are.
By HWR_14 2026-02-0314:21 Yes, a web browser should prioritize security and simplicity, and put optional features in a sandbox.
I am tired of turning features off. At this point I just want a boring browser that handles html/css/js, bookmarks, tabs (should sleep inactive tabs), plugins (for my chosen password manager and ad blocker), and page zoom. Those are the only features I actually use regularly.
That's it, I would be willing to make a one time purchase for that, no subscriptions... Ok, I could maybe be convinced for a subscription if it was a low yearly one.
By VortexLain 2026-02-036:511 reply You should probably look into https://justthebrowser.com/. This software sets up browser corporate policies to achieve exactly what you want.
By account42 2026-02-0315:05 By getting you run run arbitrary code when in the end all is does is install this policy file: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/corbindavenport/just-the-b...
Maybe we need a justtheconfig.com
By stackghost 2026-02-032:201 reply Don't forget an obfuscation layer to spoof things like canvas fingerprinting, installed fonts, etc. I'd pay for that.
Sure, I just want the core browser stuff and plugins, security/privacy kinda goes with that.
It feels like browsers are like old IDEs where everything is bundled in. I think it would be much better it they were more like modern code editors where people can make their own custom IDE by installing the plugins they want.
By WhyNotHugo 2026-02-032:37 Yup, providing better APIs for external bookmarks management, password management, etc would be much better than trying to provide some “one size fits all full featured built in” implementation.
By QuiEgo 2026-02-035:09 Safari is 90% this, and maybe before they changed how extensions worked it was like 99% this. I weep for how close it was.
By protocolture 2026-02-034:15 Its not good enough for a fork. It needs to be a major, well maintained product, like firefox.
By cranberryturkey 2026-02-031:341 reply The real question is whether this sets a precedent for how browsers should handle feature creep in general. Browsers have quietly accumulated telemetry, sponsored content, pocket integrations, VPN upsells — AI is just the latest.
What I like about Mozilla's approach here is the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config flags. If every new feature category got this treatment (a clear, discoverable off switch), browsers would be in a much better place trust-wise.
The deeper issue is that Mozilla needs revenue diversification beyond the Google search deal, and AI features are their bet on that. So the incentive to make the toggle hard to find or slowly degrade the non-AI experience will always be there. I'd love to see them prove that wrong.
By yicmoggIrl 2026-02-031:371 reply > the single toggle for all current and future AI. That's a genuine concession to user agency rather than the usual whack-a-mole of about:config flags
My thought exactly! I'm grateful that Mozilla isn't hiding the features behind dark config UI patterns.
By thisislife2 2026-02-031:52 They can't afford to, or they would have. With ads in the browser, telemetry that doesn't really switch off, etc. etc. their brand value has really fallen.
