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They just did it again to gain a count of users who turned telemetry off. In general, I see firefox's point that using the system extensions to deliver autouod

They just did it again to gain a count of users who turned telemetry off. In general, I see firefox's point that using the system extensions to deliver autouodates and allow them to iterate more quickly. However, it also feels like whenever we see these extensions that they're something shady.

vezycash 8y ago
With firefox, you can disable extension auto updates.
- gergles 8y ago
  You can't disable it installing new extensions behind your back without telling you, though. These are "system extensions" and you can't opt out of them.
  - sjwright 8y ago
    System extensions are not really extensions, they're just parts of built-in browser functionality that have been implemented by programmers with good code hygiene. It's unfair to describe these as "installing random extensions without asking" because you would then have to admit that it's equally true of every new feature of every software program that is ever updated.
    - gergles 8y ago
      I don't think it's unfair; I can disable automatic software updates. I can't disable Firefox installing secret extensions behind my back.
      - sjwright 8y ago
        That is a logically incoherent statement. The only mechanism Mozilla has for "installing secret extensions" is via software updates. If you turn that off, they can't install anything.
        vezycash 8y ago
        At least with Firefox you can disable both individual extension updates and browser updates. Chrome on the other hand removed that option years ago. Deleting Chrome Update's scheduled-task is my workaround. I don't recall if extension updates can be disabled in chrome.
jake_the_third 8y ago
I don't know why you're being downvoted, but what your saying is true. Firefox activates limited telemetry for folks who turn off the heavy stuff. While your firefox browser shows that no telemetry is taking place, the browser will silently send information about your browser, os, and other information to Mozilla. Personally, the privacy implications don't concern me as much as a browser that is deliberately lying to and deceiving it's users (though I can certainly see how it can be privacy concern). If someone wants true and total control over their browsing experience, neither firefox or chrome are a good choice (imo).

vezycash 8y ago

With firefox, you can disable extension auto updates.

gergles 8y ago
You can't disable it installing new extensions behind your back without telling you, though. These are "system extensions" and you can't opt out of them.
- sjwright 8y ago
  System extensions are not really extensions, they're just parts of built-in browser functionality that have been implemented by programmers with good code hygiene. It's unfair to describe these as "installing random extensions without asking" because you would then have to admit that it's equally true of every new feature of every software program that is ever updated.
  - gergles 8y ago
    I don't think it's unfair; I can disable automatic software updates. I can't disable Firefox installing secret extensions behind my back.
    - sjwright 8y ago
      That is a logically incoherent statement. The only mechanism Mozilla has for "installing secret extensions" is via software updates. If you turn that off, they can't install anything.
      - vezycash 8y ago
        At least with Firefox you can disable both individual extension updates and browser updates. Chrome on the other hand removed that option years ago. Deleting Chrome Update's scheduled-task is my workaround. I don't recall if extension updates can be disabled in chrome.

jake_the_third 8y ago

I don't know why you're being downvoted, but what your saying is true. Firefox activates limited telemetry for folks who turn off the heavy stuff. While your firefox browser shows that no telemetry is taking place, the browser will silently send information about your browser, os, and other information to Mozilla. Personally, the privacy implications don't concern me as much as a browser that is deliberately lying to and deceiving it's users (though I can certainly see how it can be privacy concern). If someone wants true and total control over their browsing experience, neither firefox or chrome are a good choice (imo).