Firefox is so secure and so privacy focused that it requires you to sign in to use all its new features, including this VPN. Call me skeptical.
techcrunch.com/2019/09/10/moz…
techcrunch.com/2019/09/10/moz…
Firefox Send is the same. Must log in to use the worthwhile features of it's "anonymous" file upload service.
I suspect they're trying to know & connect with their user base, but each account, server, login tied to activity is a potential privacy/security hole.
I suspect they're trying to know & connect with their user base, but each account, server, login tied to activity is a potential privacy/security hole.
Firefox VPN clearly intended to become a paid service.
qsurvey.mozilla.com/s3/fx-private-…
#privacy #security
qsurvey.mozilla.com/s3/fx-private-…
#privacy #security
It all makes sense now. The wheels were coming off the Mozilla truck. These were desperate attempts to monetize in the face of losing search revenue & market share.
Thread 1/
Thread 1/
The market, as it stands, can't sustain multiple browser platforms. It's too much of a commodity as traffic moves mobile. It's why Microsoft gave up & consolidated on Chromium, the open source version of Chrome. So have Opera, Brave & others with miniscule shares.
2/
2/
Google was going to win—by brute force or subtle sabotage. They have too much at stake.
Sadly, that means Firefox must abandon its proprietary engine, use Chromium & focus on paid services. UNLESS they can get a big $ partner (Amazon) to sustain it.
3/
Sadly, that means Firefox must abandon its proprietary engine, use Chromium & focus on paid services. UNLESS they can get a big $ partner (Amazon) to sustain it.
3/
The question is which services & on what platforms?
Desktop is in decline, but it's where Firefox still has a 4% share.
Mobile=Android, as Apple cripples 3rd party browsers.
Monetization on Android feeds Google, app space is saturated & Firefox's mobile browser is weak.
4/
Desktop is in decline, but it's where Firefox still has a 4% share.
Mobile=Android, as Apple cripples 3rd party browsers.
Monetization on Android feeds Google, app space is saturated & Firefox's mobile browser is weak.
4/
Mozilla must build on its strengths:
- avid open source community, including developers
- Pocket, a great app it acquired
- Desktop share + product maturity
- Privacy orientation
The biggest opportunity is distrust of Google, Facebook, ISP's, mobile & other data collectors.
5/
- avid open source community, including developers
- Pocket, a great app it acquired
- Desktop share + product maturity
- Privacy orientation
The biggest opportunity is distrust of Google, Facebook, ISP's, mobile & other data collectors.
5/
Not knowing their level of desperation, there are two major ways to go. Both require disposing non-core, underperforming assets, likely anything under a million active users unless it's growing fast.
6/
6/
If situation is not as dire, Mozilla should
- double down on privacy & security
- mobilize open source community by turning Mozilla into a true cooperative, where devs & users are owners. Think: Vanguard
- acquire every #2 or 3 privacy/security app it can & integrate/rebrand
7/
- double down on privacy & security
- mobilize open source community by turning Mozilla into a true cooperative, where devs & users are owners. Think: Vanguard
- acquire every #2 or 3 privacy/security app it can & integrate/rebrand
7/
If situation is dire, Mozilla should seek to merge or share assets with Brave. That gives both parties additional resources to battle Chrome.
That is all for now.
8/8
That is all for now.
8/8
PS - I skipped the OEM market, like Samsung browser and others. B2B could be another potential funding & partnership path but corporate demands could conflict with privacy or other principles. Though likely no more than embedded search partnerships with Google.
9/8
9/8
