Firefox Community Forum

Hi Firefox community,

I’m not your usual tech influencer or a corporate “enthusiast”—I’m just a longtime open source user who’s spent more than a few years behind the veiled curtain, watching how this world of software and possibility unfolds. I love what Mozilla does for users like me. That’s exactly why I want to raise something: I keep seeing the word “chatbot” show up for Firefox’s new AI-powered assistants (like the sidebar and what’s coming next). But let’s be honest—“chatbot” belongs to the days of robotic customer service and scripted dead-ends.

What we have now in Firefox—powered by real LLMs (Large Language Models)—is a whole different species. Calling these assistants “chatbots” just doesn’t fit. It sells short what LLM-based assistants can do: they’re powerful, context-aware, and, at times, strikingly human in their conversation. New users might miss the true magic if we stick to old language. So why not call them “AI assistants,” “LLM-powered assistants,” or just “AI” instead? It would help everyone see the progress, and show how Mozilla’s still leading, not just catching up.

I’ll leave it open for discussion, but I hope others feel this shift too. Language shapes how we see these things—and sometimes it takes a Singular Fella (or maybe two) to nudge the world past old memes. Thanks for hearing me out, and here’s to a future where our assistants, and our words, keep getting smarter.

—Robert Beck

Is it possible to make a donation to Mozilla without providing so much personal information? I got a message on Firefox today asking for a donation, but when I tried to do that, I was asked for my home address. It's a general rule of internet marketing that people who use the internet would rather do anything than pay for something, so it's bad psychology to impose unnecessary conditions when you're asking for a donation. I don't have to provide my home address when I make donations to other organisations, so why does Mozilla need my home address? I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this question, but I can't find anywhere else to ask it!

Thanks,

Shaun.

I am very disappointed with the recent news from Firefox's new CEO to evolve into an AI browser. I specifically have been using Firefox to avoid AI generated results like those in Google/Bing. Firefox is losing its reputation as a trustworthy, user-first browser. I will stop using Firefox if/when these AI features are added.

bold textI have finally installed Debian 13, Trixie, into my computer. However, I don't seem to have attached to the Debian Mirror. How can I do that?

I have a firefox account that I use for work, which was created with my personal email address - "email"@"personalDomain".co.uk. When I try to log in using it I get a message saying that "personalDomain.co.uk" is not a valid email address. How can I log into my account which was created using this email address? The email address is valid and active, and I do have access to it.

I have been unable to find an email address, so I am turning to this forum to express my disgust at the incoming CEO's comments, namely "Firefox will remain our anchor. It will evolve into a modern AI browser and support a portfolio of new and trusted software additions."

Firefox's appeal as an alternative to Edge, Chrome, etc. is its respect for user privacy and control. Adopting AI tools into the browser itself is a betrayal of that respect, and will eliminate Firefox's advantages over rival browsers. If users want an AI browser, they already have that option. They want, instead, a browser that allows then to control their own experience and data. I beg the Mozilla foundation to actually do some research into your own market so you will learn that people hate LLM slop in their internet browsing.

Adopting AI tools will damage Mozilla's reputation as an organization worthy of respect. What's more, it will contribute to the further erosion of trust in information on the internet that AI has caused, because *LLMs lie and steal*. This is more than just a market mistake, this is an ethical mistake.

There is still time to change course. Do not follow Chrome and Edge into AI delusion.

Just wanted to add my voice to the complaints about further AI being added to firefox. Firefox as a browser is a refuge from the enshittification of the internet as a whole, with it being one of the few non-chromium browser options, please dont join in the effort to force AI on everyone. At the very least it shouldnt take multiple options to disable AI in my browser. But at best I would love to see firefox development focused on performance rather than more AI bullshit that only CEO's want.

I have paid for a Veepn extension software for Firefox. If I go into Veepn it says I have an account and have paid for the software but the software has not been down loaded. How can I find where to down load it again? I have a Linux Mint 22.3 operating system.

I don't know who thought it was a good idea to put someone who is pro-AI in charge of the anti-AI browser. I'm on Firefox because it doesn't use AI. You want to add in the most foolish, expensive, environmentally destructive, money sink that none of the userbase wants? Fine. I don't have brand loyalty. You choose personal wealth over the health of our environment and community by shoveling AI stupidity at us, I will drop this browser like a lead weight and switch to the lesser known browsers. I hear Waterfox hasn't bought into the slop yet. Might be time to change over to a more mindful system.

when I try to sign in to face book I go through the sign in procedure and get stuck in a loop right back to the sign in page. I tried clearing my cash and cookies to no avail. Help!

I use tiling for my windows. After minimizing and then restoring the windows, the tab bar is no longer displayed. If I don't tile the windows, this error doesn't occur. I'm using the latest version of Mint Cinnamon. This error also occurred in debug mode.

$ wmctrl -m Name: Mutter (Muffin) Class: N/A PID: N/A Window manager's "showing the desktop" mode: OFF