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In the case of apt-get, there's a release process with signed packages and open source code that the distributions adhere to, publicly visible oversight etc. E

In the case of apt-get, there's a release process with signed packages and open source code that the distributions adhere to, publicly visible oversight etc. End users specifically make the choice, either to run the upgrade process themselves, or set up automated upgrades on the understanding of what processes things have gone through, and the ability to verify. The Studies mechanism occurs silently, running private code, without specific user action, and with "extensive access to Firefox internal APIs".

sjwright 7y ago
The Studies mechanism is clear, public and fully transparent. You can see what they've done. You can see what they plan to do. It's all out in the open. At the end of the day the question is whether you can trust Mozilla. I trust them more than most entities, including many that push changes through apt-get.
- Twirrim 7y ago
  Yes, Studies, that mechanism so open that end users didn't know about it until they found they were participating in some random Augmented Reality marketing collaboration with a TV show. I would love to see a link to the code related to various Studies. So far I've not been able to find any. All you seem to get told is the name of any studies you're in, and only if you go over to about:studies and go looking. This is not to say I don't trust Mozilla. I do. I trust them far more than I do Google / Chrome. It's hard not to see Studies as a privacy nightmare, though, and the level of power it has is disturbing.
  - sciurus 7y ago
    You can see the bugs filed for past and upcoming studies at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?list_id=14712186&resolution=---&classification=Client%20Software&classification=Developer%20Infrastructure&classification=Components&classification=Server%20Software&classification=Other&query_format=advanced&component=Shield%20Study&product=Shield https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?list_id=14712186&re... When the study involves an addon, I think the bug will link to its code. (Disclosure: I work for Mozilla)

sjwright 7y ago

The Studies mechanism is clear, public and fully transparent. You can see what they've done. You can see what they plan to do. It's all out in the open. At the end of the day the question is whether you can trust Mozilla. I trust them more than most entities, including many that push changes through apt-get.

Twirrim 7y ago
Yes, Studies, that mechanism so open that end users didn't know about it until they found they were participating in some random Augmented Reality marketing collaboration with a TV show. I would love to see a link to the code related to various Studies. So far I've not been able to find any. All you seem to get told is the name of any studies you're in, and only if you go over to about:studies and go looking. This is not to say I don't trust Mozilla. I do. I trust them far more than I do Google / Chrome. It's hard not to see Studies as a privacy nightmare, though, and the level of power it has is disturbing.
- sciurus 7y ago
  You can see the bugs filed for past and upcoming studies at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?list_id=14712186&resolution=---&classification=Client%20Software&classification=Developer%20Infrastructure&classification=Components&classification=Server%20Software&classification=Other&query_format=advanced&component=Shield%20Study&product=Shield https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/buglist.cgi?list_id=14712186&re... When the study involves an addon, I think the bug will link to its code. (Disclosure: I work for Mozilla)