Six months ago, Firefox users were outraged by the new Mozilla management’s attempt to install AI by default, which couldn’t be disabled in the settings. This could only be done through a special procedure. Mozilla eventually created a dedicated tab in the settings where AI could be disabled. But today, I discovered that this tab has disappeared again in the new version. I offer Firefox users a procedure to disable AI.
Disable the integrated AI chatbot in Firefox
8.1. Firefox features an integrated AI chatbot. By default, it’s turned on. This might negatively affect both your privacy and the performance (speed) of Firefox.
Thankfully, it’s rather easy to disable this feature. Like this:
a. Type in the URL bar of Firefox:
about:config
Press Enter.
b. Now you’re being presented with a warning. Ignore it and click on the blue button “Accept the Risk and Continue”.
c. Copy/paste the following search term into the configuration search box:
d. Find the following entry: browser.ml.chat.enabled
That’s currently set to the boolean value true. Double-click on it, so that it changes into false.
Do the same for the entry: browser.ml.enable
e. Close Firefox and re-launch it.
https://easylinuxtipsproject.blogspot.com/p/speed-mint.html#ID8.1
Got version 152.0.3 today on Linux (Arch) and the tab is still there, just moved down a few in the settings list. Is still set to disable everything with “AI”. For me it is just below “Languages” in the Settings menu.
Seems they "refreshed’ the Settings page, they even have a little info bubble at the top:
“Same settings, new look!
We reorganized this page so it’s easier to scan and explore. Your personal settings haven’t changed, and everything’s still here. Tip: use search to jump straight to what you need.”I’ve been trying out Zen Browser on EndevourOs(Arch) Linux with mostly good experience.
Netflix, Amazon DRM video doesn’t work. USAA explicitly bans this browser for some reason. Otherwise haven’t had any problems.
Or use librewolf
I tried, but it has problems with updates.
+1 to the Waterfox rec. The dev is openly anti-AI.
This here. It’s the reason I swapped there as soon as the news about Firefox integrating Actual Incompetence went around and haven’t regretted it since. Everything works the exact same way as I’m used to from Firefox, zero regrets about the swap.
How about Waterfox or Zen?
On windows? If so it’s fixed. The server had some issues but now it works
I don’t recommend firefox anymore now.
If you want firefox without AI try the following forks :
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floorp is great if you just want firefox without AI ( yeah the name is bad ) : https://floorp.app/
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Zen is quite nice if you like having 2000 tabs open and need to categorise stuff https://zen-browser.app/
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Librewolf is private by default : https://librewolf.net/
I’ll have to disagree with the Zen option. I got frustrated when they started removing settings for features I was using a year or so ago, and the community is prickly. I went back to Firefox when they finally made vertical tabs available.
I guess I’ll have to look into Waterfox or Phoenix now if Mozilla is bent on fully integrating AI. I’m already considering Kagi for search since DuckDuckGo is following the AI wild goose.
I’ve been looking into alternative search engines… Kagi seemed like a good option at first but it has its own AI “assistant” and its hella expensive anyway. Ecosia sucks. Currently testing out Brave which at least doesn’t dump AI summaries on me.
Id like to throw in Celenity’s Phoenix. It is a set of domain rules for FF that makes it as secure (or more secure depending on your opinion) as LibreWolf.
Celenity is the devoper of IronFox for Android (a FF fork similar to LibreWolf)
I just got Ironfox amd it seems bloated. I wonder if it has the AI on. Simce I got it my battery is going down faster.
AI is not enabled in IronFox (source). IronFox has a lot of hardening features on by default that make tracking your web activity more difficult for websites. Here’s an FAQ page that mentions one possible reason for slowdown. Its not really using much battery for me at all so I’m not sure what’s going on there.
Just to be sure, the official releases are here on GitLab
I’m seeing folks talk about Waterfox too and now I’m overwhelmed by choice paralysis. Which of these is best for your average AI-hater who just likes browsing the web? Which is best for tightest security possible? I have both use-cases on my mind
Average AI hater: Waterfox or LibreWolf, Waterfox is based on Firefox Extended Release, LibreWolf is upstream FF
Tightest security: This one is a bit more difficult as it depends on threat model. Highest security would be no browser. Then Tor, then something like Mullvad Browser which I dont really want to recommend due to recent controversies with the company, then Phoenix, then LibreWolf/Waterfox.
my opinion explained:
No browser: no data leak!
Tor browser: One of the most secure ways to access the modern web. Is also usually sluggish and broken due to noscript + multihops
Mullvad: Is Tor Browser without the Tor Network, but built by a company who’s CEO 70% funded a German fascist party.
Phoenix: Is always the latest version of Firefox so youre not waiting for forks to catch up, AI disabled as well as telemetry and a lot of web tracking features. You may need to enable settings to get some sites to work
LibreWolf/Waterfox, explained above
edit: and if you are on Android, you should use IronFox over Firefox. not sure if theres any privacy forks of FF android other than IronFox (and tor) but thats my opinion
thank you very much! I think I’ll have my family switch over to Waterfox and give Phoenix a try. Maybe pairing with a VPN can bring it up to Mullvad-level security… not keen on using a browser built by neo-nazis obviously.
Yeah me neither lol.
I hope it goes well for you!! If youre looking for a VPN, currently looks like IVPN is the least fash option.
I’d never heard of IVPN before. Their ethics page is so refreshing. I’ve been trying out the free version of Proton for the last week but I like the sound of this way, way more, plus the anti-tracker stuff is really valuable. Thanks! :D
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If for some reason that doesn’t work, Waterfox is the completely AI-free version of Firefox, with tighter security settings by default. You can also use most of the same add-ons, and it’s available for mobile devices.
I use Watetfox but I’ve been tinkering with a website idea as a hobby and it involves developing for FireFox as a way to make it better supported. There is a developer edition at least.
P.S. Too goddamn many codebases used in modern webdev are gungho all-in over AI, really disgusting.
The settings page is still there for me on both latest stable and nightly
deleted by creator
Members of the Linux Mint community on Reddit also tell me the bookmark is still visible. But for some reason, I don’t see it on my own.
Is your suggestion for removing AI, to add an AI to the browser? I’m confused.
You misunderstood. AI was built into Firefox without the option to disable it in the settings. Then that option appeared. Now I still don’t see a tab in the settings where I can disable AI.
Now I still don’t see a tab in the settings where I can disable AI.
Yes yes i understand that.
I don’t understand why you want to inject machine learning into it.Edit. Nevermind, i misread a part of the script and realize now what is doing. Lol im sorry to cause confusion
I don’t see anything about adding another AI to the browser…
The closest I see is when they go into about:config and sets two variables about AI to false.
browser.ml.enable adds browser side machine learning code into firefox.
Not if you set it to “false”
I am a huge moron, and completely missed the double click to set it to false part.
I’ll just, uh, I’m gonna go now
Hehe, it’s fine, I have done the same!
Here, take a break and browse some of my photos and relax:
