Vienna-based advocacy group NOYB recently filed a complaint with the Austrian data protection authority against Mozilla, accusing the Firefox browser maker of tracking user behavior on websites without consent. NOYB, founded by privacy activist Max Schrems, claims that Mozilla enabled a privacy-preserving attribution feature that effectively turned the browser into a tracking tool without informing users directly. Mozilla defended its actions by stating that the feature was part of an effort to improve invasive advertising practices by providing technical alternatives that prevent the identification of individuals or their browsing activity.
Despite Mozilla’s intentions to offer a less invasive form of tracking, NOYB argues that it still violates user rights under the EU’s privacy laws. The group claims that Firefox has turned on the feature by default, which interferes with user choice and consent. NOYB’s data protection lawyer, Felix Mikolasch, criticized Mozilla for assuming that users are incapable of making decisions about their privacy settings and believes that users should have the option to choose whether they wish to enable such features.
Mozilla’s Firefox browser, once known for its privacy features, has seen a decline in market share compared to competitors like Google Chrome, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. NOYB is demanding that Mozilla inform users about its data processing activities, transition to an opt-in system for tracking features, and delete any unlawfully processed data of affected users. The organization has also taken legal action against other tech giants, such as Alphabet, for similar violations, resulting in significant fines.
Overall, NOYB’s complaint against Mozilla highlights the ongoing debate surrounding online privacy and data tracking practices. As users become more aware of the ways in which their data is collected and utilized, advocacy groups like NOYB are pushing for greater transparency and control over personal information. Mozilla’s response to these allegations and the outcome of the complaint will likely impact how tech companies approach privacy issues in the future. It remains to be seen how the Austrian data protection authority will address NOYB’s claims and whether any regulatory action will be taken against Mozilla for its alleged violations.
