Mozilla faces privacy complaint over Firefox tracking

NOYB is pressing Mozilla to switch to an opt-in system and delete unlawfully processed data.

NOYB claims Mozilla’s tracking tool, enabled by default, violates EU privacy laws.

Mozilla has been hit with a privacy complaint by NOYB, an advocacy group, over tracking users of its Firefox browser. NOYB, based in Vienna, claims that Mozilla’s privacy-preserving attribution feature tracks user activity on websites without their explicit consent.

Mozilla responded, stating that its feature aims to improve advertising practices by reducing invasive tracking. While NOYB acknowledges the feature is less invasive, the group argues it still violates European privacy laws by being enabled by default.

Privacy activist Max Schrems’ organisation has criticised Mozilla for not allowing users to opt in. NOYB’s data protection lawyer, Felix Mikolasch, said users should be able to make a choice, and the current system infringes on their rights.

The group is demanding Mozilla inform users, shift to an opt-in system, and delete all unlawfully processed data. NOYB has previously filed similar complaints against other tech giants, including Alphabet’s Chrome browser.