Mozilla has introduced a sweeping policy update for Firefox extensions, requiring all developers to clearly disclose how their add-ons collect and transmit data. The new rule marks a significant change in the browser’s privacy standards, ensuring users are fully aware of what happens to their personal information before they install any extension.
This move follows growing pressure across the tech industry for stronger transparency in software ecosystems. Browser extensions often request access to sensitive information such as browsing history, tabs, or system interactions. Mozilla’s latest update aims to eliminate ambiguity by demanding explicit, user-facing disclosures from every extension listed on its platform.
Greater Transparency for Every Add-on
Under the new policy, each Firefox extension must now declare the type of data it collects whether it’s personal information, technical telemetry, or none at all. During installation, users will see a consent prompt that categorizes the data being gathered and explains whether collection is required for the extension’s core function.
For instance, a password manager might list “user authentication data” as required, while optional analytics will appear separately for explicit user approval. The user can deny optional collection without breaking the extension’s primary functionality.
This level of detail forces developers to justify every data call their extension makes. Any add-on that omits disclosure or fails to match its declared purpose risks immediate rejection from Mozilla’s store.
Technical Requirements for Developers
From 2025 onward, extension developers must include a new section in their manifest file called data_collection_permissions. This component identifies what categories of data are collected and how they are used.
The submission process on Mozilla’s Add-ons Developer Hub has also been updated to include validation checks for these declarations. Developers must provide supporting information in their privacy policies, linking directly from the add-on listing page.
For extensions that collect optional data, a new onboarding prompt will appear at installation. Users can opt in or refuse, and the decision will be recorded in Firefox’s local settings. This ensures complete control remains with the user.
A Win for User Privacy
Mozilla describes the update as a “transparency-first” policy, designed to empower users and protect personal data by default. According to the company, users should never be surprised by what an extension does in the background.
This overhaul directly benefits users by:
-
Making it easier to see which extensions request unnecessary access.
-
Giving full control over optional data transmissions.
-
Ensuring all add-ons on Firefox meet minimum privacy compliance requirements.
The end result is a more predictable, safer browsing environment where privacy settings are explicit and data handling is clear.
Industry Context and Broader Impact
Mozilla’s update arrives at a time when browser vendors are tightening control over third-party integrations. Google’s Chrome Web Store introduced similar disclosure fields under its Privacy Practices section, but Mozilla’s model takes it further by embedding consent directly in the installation flow.
This decision could influence industry norms. By enforcing transparency at the permission level, Mozilla challenges developers to reconsider how they design, market, and monetize their extensions.
Privacy experts note that these changes could also drive innovation in privacy-preserving analytics frameworks that operate without personal data. Developers seeking to maintain insight into usage trends may now turn toward aggregate or anonymized data solutions.
Challenges for Developers
While users stand to gain transparency, developers face new compliance challenges. Smaller teams may struggle with the documentation requirements, especially if they rely on third-party APIs that collect telemetry.
Mozilla has provided new documentation to guide developers through proper disclosure practices and has promised transitional support throughout 2025. However, enforcement will become stricter by the end of the year.
Extensions that ignore the new rules risk being removed or suspended until they fully comply.
What Users Can Expect
Firefox users will start seeing these new disclosure prompts in upcoming releases. When installing or updating an extension, the browser will now display:
-
Required data categories, such as “technical data” or “usage statistics.”
-
Optional categories that need active consent.
-
A direct link to the developer’s privacy policy.
This design ensures informed consent is part of every installation. Over time, Mozilla plans to surface these transparency details within the add-on manager, allowing users to revisit their consent decisions at any moment.
Expert Insight
Cybersecurity researchers and privacy analysts view the change as overdue. Browser extensions have long been exploited as attack vectors, often harvesting data beyond what users expect. The new policy doesn’t eliminate all risk, but it does introduce a robust framework for accountability.
Industry observers predict this may inspire other browser vendors to follow suit, eventually leading to a standardized model for extension data governance across ecosystems.
Mozilla’s decision to make data-collection disclosure mandatory for all Firefox extensions represents one of the most substantial user-privacy updates in years. By enforcing transparency at the installation level, Firefox strengthens trust between users and developers, reduces potential abuse, and aligns itself with modern data-protection expectations.
As the 2025 rollout continues, users should expect clearer permission dialogs and more informed choices proving once again that privacy-first engineering isn’t just policy, it’s product design.
FAQs
Q1. What types of data must developers disclose?
They must categorize and declare every type of information transmitted, including technical telemetry, user interaction data, or personal identifiers.
Q2. Can extensions still collect analytics data?
Yes, but only after the user gives explicit consent. Optional analytics must appear in the installation prompt, and users can revoke permission anytime.
Q3. Will existing extensions be grandfathered in?
No. All developers must update their listings to meet the new data-disclosure requirement by late 2025, or their add-ons risk removal.
Q4. Where can users review what data an installed extension collects?
In Firefox’s “Add-ons and Themes” manager under the “Permissions & Data” tab.
Q5. Does this change apply to enterprise extensions?
While enterprises can deploy extensions outside the public store, Mozilla encourages them to follow the same transparency principles for consistency and trust.
