Firefox Adds One-Click Option to Disable Generative AI

Mozilla adds a simple, one-click privacy toggle in Firefox to let users instantly disable all generative AI features, including chatbots and AI helpers.

Mozilla has introduced a new, prominent one-click option within the Firefox browser that allows users to instantly disable all generative AI features. The toggle, found in the privacy and security settings, deactivates built-in AI assistants, AI-powered search summarization, and any third-party AI integrations that leverage browser data. This move is framed as a major user privacy initiative, giving individuals clear and immediate control over their exposure to emerging AI technologies that often process data on remote servers.

The feature is part of Firefox's ongoing "Privacy by Design" philosophy and responds to growing user concerns about data sent to AI models, potential surveillance, and unwanted AI interactions. When switched off, the browser blocks connections to known AI service endpoints and disables related user interface elements. Mozilla emphasizes that the setting is universal, preventing silent, background AI data processing that has become common in other browsers and web applications.

"This is about putting control back in the user's hands. People should decide if and when they interact with generative AI, not have it imposed by default," said a Mozilla executive. A digital privacy advocate stated, "Mozilla is setting a critical precedent for transparency and consent in the AI era. This one-click off switch is a powerful tool for digital autonomy."

The rollout addresses rising security and privacy anxieties specifically linked to generative AI, including prompt leakage, training data memorization, and the opaque use of personal data to improve models. In a landscape where AI features are increasingly embedded by default, Firefox's approach offers a clear, simplified counter-narrative focused on user choice. It also serves as a competitive differentiator in the browser market, appealing to privacy-conscious consumers.

The feature is available in the latest stable release of Firefox. Mozilla has committed to maintaining and updating the AI-blocking capabilities as new AI services and integration methods emerge, ensuring the toggle remains effective.