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When I started reading the article I thought this was an enhancement to Pocket and that somehow, external data (context from other sites) downloaded periodicall

When I started reading the article I thought this was an enhancement to Pocket and that somehow, external data (context from other sites) downloaded periodically combined with local browser history, would help the extension to provide options on where to go next. But later I understood that the browser history is sent to a machine learning startup called Laserlike: “At Mozilla, we believe browser history is sensitive information and we want people to clearly understand that Laserlike will receive their web browsing history before installing the experiment. We have also included controls so that participants can pause the experiment, see what browser history Laserlike has about them, or request deletion of that information.” I certainly wouldn’t try this experiment out. Not because my browsing history is scandalous in any way, but because it’s nobody else’s business to see what I’m doing with my browser, when and where. I do commend Mozilla for being transparent and also for doing such experiments, even though as a privacy nut, I don’t see myself using this ever.

StavrosK 8y ago
"We have also included controls so that participants can pause the experiment, see what browser history Laserlike has about them, or request deletion of that information.” Where the hell are these controls? Since I installed this thing before reading that it'd send my data to some party, like an idiot, I'd like to request deletion of the data now, but I can't for the life of me find any sort of interface for it. What the fuck, Mozilla?
- seren 8y ago
  So this is a violation of GDPR as well ?
  - scarejunba 8y ago
    How come everything is a GDPR violation to you? https://imgur.com/a/PGKovg2 https://imgur.com/a/PGKovg2
  - GordonS 8y ago
    You have to consent to use this, and Mozilla tell you exactly what information you are providing and what happens with it - how exactly does this violate the GDPR?
- krantos 8y ago
  I found it in about 20 seconds. Right next to "Powered by Laserlike" there's a settings gear, and at the bottom of the dropdown is a link to "Account Settings". In there, you can delete your browsing history and 'other data'.
  - StavrosK 8y ago
    Ah, thanks. Clicking that settings gear doesn't do anything in my browser, I'm afraid. It just looks like a static image, not a menu or an interactable element.
    - krantos 8y ago
      It seems to expand on mouseover so there's a number of things that could probably interfere with that.
      - cpeterso 8y ago
        The Advance extension disables itself (and its settings gear menu) if you have enabled Firefox's Tracking Protection or DNT.
tunap 8y ago
"I do commend Mozilla for being transparent..." I too commend Google for the same reasons set forth in plain-speak in the 1st two paragraphs of their EULAs. I also choose to forgo their services for those same reasons. Mozilla has forgotten their purpose & been over-taken by the data miners. Full stop.
- zaarn 8y ago
  They have been overtaken by data miners because there is an addon that you have to install another addon first and both make it very clear that you might send data to third parties and the first addon makes it clear that you definitely send data to third parties while also offering you options to control this sending of data and delete it on request? Tbh, it sounds more like they are experimenting if having website recommendations in the browser is something worthwhile pursuing, if it is, they'll likely buy laserlike and integrate it clientside without violating privacy in any way, similar to how they have done it several times by now.
  - tunap 8y ago
    Experimenting sgnals intent. Pocket, WebRTC, GA in about:pages are NOT add-ons & not easily disabled. Actions that contradict their own professed policies are indefensible. Above are just the most recent reasons why their market share has tanked & current Mozilla management is no longer trustworthy. IMO.
    - zaarn 8y ago
      GA in about:pages was to my knowledge not intentional and covered under a special contract with google as they used that for their normal mozilla pages. WebRTC is a standard and you can easily disable it. Pocket belongs to Mozilla and they opensourced large parts of it and will open source further parts. Experimenting in this case signals the intent that they may want to explore the direction of "recommend websites to user" and they have, in the mailing lists, stated that if this will continue, they will develop the most privacy preserving option they can. If you look at the stats their marketshare is increasing over the last few months (25->27% under non-chrome browsers) IMO.

StavrosK 8y ago

"We have also included controls so that participants can pause the experiment, see what browser history Laserlike has about them, or request deletion of that information.” Where the hell are these controls? Since I installed this thing before reading that it'd send my data to some party, like an idiot, I'd like to request deletion of the data now, but I can't for the life of me find any sort of interface for it. What the fuck, Mozilla?

seren 8y ago
So this is a violation of GDPR as well ?
- scarejunba 8y ago
  How come everything is a GDPR violation to you? https://imgur.com/a/PGKovg2 https://imgur.com/a/PGKovg2
- GordonS 8y ago
  You have to consent to use this, and Mozilla tell you exactly what information you are providing and what happens with it - how exactly does this violate the GDPR?
krantos 8y ago
I found it in about 20 seconds. Right next to "Powered by Laserlike" there's a settings gear, and at the bottom of the dropdown is a link to "Account Settings". In there, you can delete your browsing history and 'other data'.
- StavrosK 8y ago
  Ah, thanks. Clicking that settings gear doesn't do anything in my browser, I'm afraid. It just looks like a static image, not a menu or an interactable element.
  - krantos 8y ago
    It seems to expand on mouseover so there's a number of things that could probably interfere with that.
    - cpeterso 8y ago
      The Advance extension disables itself (and its settings gear menu) if you have enabled Firefox's Tracking Protection or DNT.

tunap 8y ago

"I do commend Mozilla for being transparent..." I too commend Google for the same reasons set forth in plain-speak in the 1st two paragraphs of their EULAs. I also choose to forgo their services for those same reasons. Mozilla has forgotten their purpose & been over-taken by the data miners. Full stop.

zaarn 8y ago
They have been overtaken by data miners because there is an addon that you have to install another addon first and both make it very clear that you might send data to third parties and the first addon makes it clear that you definitely send data to third parties while also offering you options to control this sending of data and delete it on request? Tbh, it sounds more like they are experimenting if having website recommendations in the browser is something worthwhile pursuing, if it is, they'll likely buy laserlike and integrate it clientside without violating privacy in any way, similar to how they have done it several times by now.
- tunap 8y ago
  Experimenting sgnals intent. Pocket, WebRTC, GA in about:pages are NOT add-ons & not easily disabled. Actions that contradict their own professed policies are indefensible. Above are just the most recent reasons why their market share has tanked & current Mozilla management is no longer trustworthy. IMO.
  - zaarn 8y ago
    GA in about:pages was to my knowledge not intentional and covered under a special contract with google as they used that for their normal mozilla pages. WebRTC is a standard and you can easily disable it. Pocket belongs to Mozilla and they opensourced large parts of it and will open source further parts. Experimenting in this case signals the intent that they may want to explore the direction of "recommend websites to user" and they have, in the mailing lists, stated that if this will continue, they will develop the most privacy preserving option they can. If you look at the stats their marketshare is increasing over the last few months (25->27% under non-chrome browsers) IMO.