Mozilla Accused Of Privacy Violations In Firefox Browser Tracking - 1

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Mozilla Accused Of Privacy Violations In Firefox Browser Tracking

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • NOYB has filed a complaint against Mozilla for user tracking.
  • Mozilla’s PPA feature tracks users without their consent.
  • Millions of European users may be affected by these practices

Vienna-based advocacy group noyb (None Of Your Business) announced on Wednesday that it has lodged a formal complaint against Mozilla. The complaint alleges that the Firefox browser maker has been tracking user behavior on websites without obtaining the necessary consent.

Noyb, a digital rights organization founded by privacy advocate Max Schrems, has alleged that Mozilla has activated a feature called privacy preserving attribution (PPA). This feature reportedly turns the browser into a tracking tool for websites.

The complaint states that users have reportedly not been informed about the PPA feature, or provided with an option to consent. This feature is not mentioned in Mozilla’s data protection policies, and users must navigate through sub-menus to opt-out.

The implications of this complaint are significant, as millions of European users could be affected by the undisclosed tracking practices.

A Mozilla spokesperson defended the decision, stating that the limited test of PPA aims to improve invasive advertising practices by providing more technical alternatives.

“These techniques prevent any party, including Mozilla, from identifying individuals or their browsing activity,” the spokesperson said to Reuters .

Felix Mikolasch, a data protection lawyer at NOYB, criticized Mozilla’s approach, suggesting that the company has succumbed to the narrative that the advertising industry has a right to track users.

“While Mozilla may have had good intentions, it is very unlikely that ‘privacy preserving attribution’ will replace cookies and other tracking tools. It is just a new, additional means of tracking users,” Mikolasch stated.

Noyb demands that Mozilla properly informs users about its data processing activities and transitions to an opt-in system for the PPA feature. Additionally, Noyb is calling for the deletion of any unlawfully processed data.

OpenAI CTO Mira Murati And Two More Execs Leave The Startup - 2

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OpenAI CTO Mira Murati And Two More Execs Leave The Startup

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • CTO Mira Murati, and researchers Bob McGrew, and Barret Zoph quit this Wednesday
  • The three technical leaders shared the news publicly on X
  • All talents claimed it was a personal decision and a right moment in their careers

OpenAI’s Chief Technology Officer Mira Murati, along with Chief Research Officer Bob McGrew, and VP Research Barret Zoph quit the company this Wednesday.

According to Reuters , the three technical leaders shared public statements on the social media platform X, while the company goes through a restructuring process to transform into a for-profit benefit corporation and give CEO Sam Altman an equity stake.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that OpenAI is in talks for a new investment round that could raise the value of the company to over $100 billion

Murati’s departure after six years in the company as one of the main leaders and faces of OpenAI comes unexpectedly but adds to the long list of talents leaving OpenAI since its conception.

“I’m stepping away because I want to create the time and space to do my own exploration,” wrote Murati in the note she shared with OpenAI’s team where she also expressed her gratitude to the project and her team. “For now, my primary focus is doing everything in my power to ensure a smooth transition, maintaining the momentum we’ve built.”

Altman replied to her post on X and thanked her help and accomplishments. “We’ll say more about the transition plans soon, but for now, I want to take a moment to just feel thanks,” he added.

McGrew—who joined the company eight years ago— said it was time for him to “take a break,” while Barret Zoph—who joined OpenAI in 2022— said it was a personal decision and that it had to do with the next step in his career.

All of them mentioned that it was a good moment, after seeing ChatGPT evolve and reach its most recent versions.