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Will Your Favorite Firefox Tool Stop Working? The Critical Truth About the Upcoming Add-on Update.
Browser add-ons, also called extensions, are small tools that you can add to your Firefox browser. They can do useful things like block ads or help you download files. Think of them as apps for your browser. However, some add-ons are not made to help you. They are built to collect your private information and sell it. This creates a safety problem for you.
To make browsing safer, Firefox is adding a new rule. Soon, the creator of every add-on must tell you if their tool collects your personal information. This gives you the power to choose what you install.
What This New Rule Means for You
This change will happen in two main steps. It is important to know how you will be affected.
Starting November 3, 2025
Any brand-new add-on submitted to Firefox must disclose its data practices. When you go to install a new add-on, Firefox will show you a message. This message will state clearly if the add-on collects your data. If it does, it will list what kind of information it collects, such as your location. Even add-ons that collect zero data must have a statement saying so.
Beginning in 2026
In the first half of the year, this rule will apply to all add-ons, not just new ones. Every extension in the Firefox store, including the ones you already have, must provide this information.
Potential Problems to Watch For
This change improves transparency, but there are some points to consider. The information about data collection is provided by the developer and is not automatically verified by Firefox. This means you still need to be cautious about the extensions you trust.
Additionally, some older add-ons are no longer updated by their creators. If these abandoned extensions are not updated to meet the new rule by 2026, they may be removed or stop working. Firefox has not yet detailed how it will handle these specific cases. This change is a positive step for your privacy, as it allows you to make more informed decisions about the tools you use online.