Six months ago, Firefox users were outraged by the new Mozilla management’s attempt to install AI by default, which couldn’t be disabled in the settings. This could only be done through a special procedure. Mozilla eventually created a dedicated tab in the settings where AI could be disabled. But today, I discovered that this tab has disappeared again in the new version. I offer Firefox users a procedure to disable AI.
Disable the integrated AI chatbot in Firefox
8.1. Firefox features an integrated AI chatbot. By default, it’s turned on. This might negatively affect both your privacy and the performance (speed) of Firefox.
Thankfully, it’s rather easy to disable this feature. Like this:
a. Type in the URL bar of Firefox:
about:config
Press Enter.
b. Now you’re being presented with a warning. Ignore it and click on the blue button “Accept the Risk and Continue”.
c. Copy/paste the following search term into the configuration search box:
d. Find the following entry: browser.ml.chat.enabled
That’s currently set to the boolean value true. Double-click on it, so that it changes into false.
Do the same for the entry: browser.ml.enable
e. Close Firefox and re-launch it.
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/speed-mint.html#ID8.1
I don’t recommend firefox anymore now.
If you want firefox without AI try the following forks :
floorp is great if you just want firefox without AI ( yeah the name is bad ) : https://floorp.app/
Zen is quite nice if you like having 2000 tabs open and need to categorise stuff https://zen-browser.app/
Librewolf is private by default : https://librewolf.net/
Id like to throw in Celenity’s Phoenix. It is a set of domain rules for FF that makes it as secure (or more secure depending on your opinion) as LibreWolf.
Celenity is the devoper of IronFox for Android (a FF fork similar to LibreWolf)
I just got Ironfox amd it seems bloated. I wonder if it has the AI on. Simce I got it my battery is going down faster.
AI is not enabled in IronFox (source). IronFox has a lot of hardening features on by default that make tracking your web activity more difficult for websites. Here’s an FAQ page that mentions one possible reason for slowdown. Its not really using much battery for me at all so I’m not sure what’s going on there.
Just to be sure, the official releases are here on GitLab
I’m seeing folks talk about Waterfox too and now I’m overwhelmed by choice paralysis. Which of these is best for your average AI-hater who just likes browsing the web? Which is best for tightest security possible? I have both use-cases on my mind
Average AI hater: Waterfox or LibreWolf, Waterfox is based on Firefox Extended Release, LibreWolf is upstream FF
Tightest security: This one is a bit more difficult as it depends on threat model. Highest security would be no browser. Then Tor, then something like Mullvad Browser which I dont really want to recommend due to recent controversies with the company, then Phoenix, then LibreWolf/Waterfox.
my opinion explained:
No browser: no data leak!
Tor browser: One of the most secure ways to access the modern web. Is also usually sluggish and broken due to noscript + multihops
Mullvad: Is Tor Browser without the Tor Network, but built by a company who’s CEO 70% funded a German fascist party.
Phoenix: Is always the latest version of Firefox so youre not waiting for forks to catch up, AI disabled as well as telemetry and a lot of web tracking features. You may need to enable settings to get some sites to work
LibreWolf/Waterfox, explained above
thank you very much! I think I’ll have my family switch over to Waterfox and give Phoenix a try. Maybe pairing with a VPN can bring it up to Mullvad-level security… not keen on using a browser built by neo-nazis obviously.
A ‘fun’ page for anyone looking into vpn’s
https://embed.kumu.io/9ced55e897e74fd807be51990b26b415#vpn-company-relationships
One of the co-owners of Mullvad donated to a political party, that doesn’t equate to “a browser built by neo-nazis”. The party that he donated to is clearly very undesirable, and unhinged. Mullvad does not support the donation, or the party.
Aside from many vpn’s being obviously dodgy, you will also need to look out for right wing interests in that field, as well as a ton of dodgy marketing, and fanboyism.
Yeah me neither lol.
I hope it goes well for you!! If youre looking for a VPN, currently looks like IVPN is the least fash option.
I’d never heard of IVPN before. Their ethics page is so refreshing. I’ve been trying out the free version of Proton for the last week but I like the sound of this way, way more, plus the anti-tracker stuff is really valuable. Thanks! :D
I’ll have to disagree with the Zen option. I got frustrated when they started removing settings for features I was using a year or so ago, and the community is prickly. I went back to Firefox when they finally made vertical tabs available.
I guess I’ll have to look into Waterfox or Phoenix now if Mozilla is bent on fully integrating AI. I’m already considering Kagi for search since DuckDuckGo is following the AI wild goose.
https://noai.duckduckgo.com/
I’ve been looking into alternative search engines… Kagi seemed like a good option at first but it has its own AI “assistant” and its hella expensive anyway. Ecosia sucks. Currently testing out Brave which at least doesn’t dump AI summaries on me.