It is one click in settings to remove sponsored shortcuts.
Does that matter though? The fact that they add this at all is pretty gross
Momma Mozzy needs to pay the bills. She doesn’t have as deep of pockets a Google and Apple do.
I feel a couple obviously-notated-as-sponsored links (that you can turn off) or a default search engine (that can be easily changed) that don’t effect the core behavior or security of the browser itself are worth it for a good FOSS browser.It’s gross if you have donated to the project. If you haven’t, I see no issues with getting an ad I can turn off.
How much have you paid to mozilla to use firefox?
Um. I have given the Mozilla foundation my love and adoration…
While I’d like to think that has significant value, cash is probably better.
Love and adoration is like a gift card to a random store at the mall.Here is the thing: I send them 5$ each month since years. But turns out: None of that money goes to Firefox. Mozilla is using the money for everything but Firefox. (Warning: Reddit Link)
So all the guys who ask “HoW MuCh DiD YoU DoNatEd”: Your argument is void.
There’s Mozilla Corp and Mozilla Foundation. The Corp is what runs Firefox (“supported” by sponsored content (that’s complained about) and deals with search engines).
Mozilla Corp is a subsidiary of Mozilla Foundation.
If all ties with sponsorships are severed, Mozilla Foundation is what would keep Firefox afloat.
The existance of these sponsorships are pseudo-equivalent to donating.
Oh no. You donations go to help other ppl and fund ideals that mozzilla is all about. How terrible 🥱
Did you stop paying after reading the link?
No. I still support Mozillas Projects in general be it in software or social. I do not regret any donation.
No. I still support Mozillas Projects
Then 2 minutes later, in another reply in this thread:
I never donating, I don’t know what you are talking about.
That people should have the right to complain about those things regarding if the donated or not. Donating does not grant you the right to complain about things you find annoying on software. Especially not, if the donation is not even going to the project someone is complaining about. So people who try to gatekeep the complaining by asking if someone has donated, my comment informed them that in fact this argument is moot.
Edit: oops, I see now how my comment was confusing as I was missing the word *stopped. Sorry
This has been a thing for years now. It’s nothing new.
Y’all feel so entitled to something that is free. And guves you options with one click to turn off.
You can always use one of the forks such as IceCat or LibreWolf if you’re that dissatisfied
Type
about:preferences#homein the address bar, and then uncheck “Sponsored shortcuts”.Been using waterfox, and been very happy with it.
Wherever I setup a new VM/PC and install FF, I always have to reset so many things:
-
Standard search SearXNG/DDG
-
New tab = blank page (privacy, no 3rd party request on new tab opening)
-
Delete Amazon, Google, etc ( out of spite)
-
Opt-out of analytics and studies
-
Change theme to dark
-
Add shortcut for other searches
-
Install ublock origin and ublock matrix (apparently redundant now, but I like visiting websites and blocking everything by default. Looking at you google analytics/fonts/etc.)
-
delete cookies on Exit
-
HYTPS only enable
-
add DNS (if not inside my network where it is handled on router level)
Still my favorite browser
FYI you can just copy over the settings directory to port all your config/passwords/bookmarks/profiles/history. On Linux it’s in the
~/.mozilladirectory, on Windows it’s somewhere in the user directory, AppData specifically IIRC.Why not avoid most of this and use LibreWolf instead?
-
You can turn them
Firefox also gathers metrics about you by default. It’s in the settings, if you want to turn it off.
Others mentioned ways to remove the sponsored links, though while on the subject of home pages, I’d like to shout out Tabliss. It’s the home page that I use, and is fairly simple. Gives me a background I can choose, as well as widgets for time, weather, etc.
