Firefox 148 launches AI kill switch to disable all AI enhancements in one click
2 Sources
2 Sources
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Firefox 148 Now Available With The New AI Controls / AI Kill Switches
Mozilla Names New CEO, Firefox To Evolve Into A "Modern AI Browser" Michael Larabel is the principal author of Phoronix.com and founded the site in 2004 with a focus on enriching the Linux hardware experience. Michael has written more than 20,000 articles covering the state of Linux hardware support, Linux performance, graphics drivers, and other topics. Michael is also the lead developer of the Phoronix Test Suite, Phoromatic, and OpenBenchmarking.org automated benchmarking software. He can be followed via Twitter, LinkedIn, or contacted via MichaelLarabel.com.
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Firefox 148 introduces the promised AI kill switch for people who aren't into LLMs
* Tell Firefox "No thanks" to LLMs -- one-click AI kill switch removes all AI enhancements. * Flipping it disables ChatGPT & sidebar chatbots, AI link previews, and smart tab suggestions. * Also adds telemetry opt-out and new tab groups; full release notes aren't posted yet. Firefox is in a really weird position right now. Given how browsers are rapidly adopting AI, people who'd rather not use those tools are being left in the dark. Their only savior was Firefox; that is, until the new CEO of Mozilla publicly announced that they were going for an AI-focused plan. Firefox caught a lot of flak from people who didn't want AI in their browsers, but the CEO wanted to still tap into the tech. The answer? Create an AI kill switch that, when flipped, will remove all AI enhancements from Firefox and will prevent the browser from recommending existing or new AI tools. That way, the people who want AI can use it, and the people who don't want AI can flick the switch and forget about it. Well, if you were worried that the claims of an AI kill switch in Firefox were just a load of hot air, Mozilla has a present for you. Its newest version of its browser, Firefox 148, lets you tell the browser "No thanks" for AI features, and it only takes a few clicks. Mozilla is forming a rebellion as more companies add AI to their browsers It's not quite as rebellious as some might like. Posts 1 By Simon Batt Mozilla Firefox 148 introduces the AI kill switch One click and you're done Interestingly, at the time of writing, the official Mozilla Firefox 148 page doesn't have any patch notes on it at all. Instead, it says that "We're still preparing the notes for this release, and will post them here when they are ready." However, that hasn't stopped OMGUbuntu from getting stuck in with the new update and checking out all the new stuff. The spotlight feature with Firefox 148 is the aforementioned AI kill switch. If you don't want to see AI on Firefox anymore, all you have to do is click on Settings > AI Controls. You'll then see a very bold and prominent option called 'Block AI Enhancements.' Hit that, and every AI tool gets disabled. And I say 'every,' I mean it; OMGUbuntu noted that flipping the switch stopped "ChatGPT and other chatbots in the sidebar, AI link previews, the (supposedly) smart tab group suggestions and others." Yeah, it hits everything. Subscribe to the newsletter for Firefox AI switch updates Get clear, practical coverage of Firefox's AI kill switch and what it means for privacy and browser choices. Subscribe to the newsletter for concise explainers, step-by-step guidance to flip settings, and context that helps you make informed decisions. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Firefox 148 also introduces some nice new features, such as the ability to opt out of telemetry and the addition of some new tab groups. And while Mozilla hasn't quite revealed everything new in this update yet, you can still download it from the link above and see it for yourself.
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Mozilla released Firefox 148 with a comprehensive AI kill switch that lets users completely disable all AI features including ChatGPT integrations, sidebar chatbots, AI link previews, and smart tab suggestions. The update also introduces telemetry opt-out and new tab groups, addressing user concerns about AI proliferation in browsers.
Mozilla Delivers on Promise to Give Users Control Over AI Features
Mozilla has released Firefox 148, introducing a comprehensive AI kill switch that allows users to disable all AI enhancements with a single setting change
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. The update arrives amid ongoing debate about the browser's direction after Mozilla's CEO announced plans to evolve Firefox into a modern AI browser1
. This new feature represents a direct response to user backlash against the AI-focused strategy, offering a clear path for those who prefer to avoid LLMs and AI tools entirely.The AI kill switch addresses a growing concern among Firefox users who felt abandoned as competing browsers rapidly integrated AI capabilities. By creating this toggle, Mozilla attempts to satisfy both audiences: users eager to explore AI features and those who view them as unnecessary additions to their browsing experience.
How the Block AI Enhancements Setting Works
Accessing the AI kill switch requires just a few clicks through the browser interface. Users navigate to Settings, then AI Controls, where they find a prominent option labeled "Block AI Enhancements"
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. Activating this setting comprehensively removes all AI functionality from the browser, including ChatGPT integrations, sidebar chatbots, AI link previews, and smart tab suggestions. The switch also prevents Firefox from recommending existing or new AI tools, ensuring users won't encounter prompts or suggestions to try AI features they've explicitly rejected.
Source: Phoronix
This approach differs from granular controls that require users to disable individual AI features. Instead, Mozilla opted for a single, decisive action that eliminates every AI enhancement in one move. The simplicity of this implementation reflects an understanding that users seeking to avoid AI want a complete solution rather than piecemeal options scattered across multiple settings menus.
Additional Privacy and Organization Features in the Update
Beyond the headline AI controls, Firefox 148 introduces telemetry opt-out capabilities, giving users greater control over data collection practices
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. The update also adds new tab groups, improving browser organization for users managing multiple open pages. At the time of the release, Mozilla had not yet published complete patch notes on the official Firefox 148 page, indicating additional features and improvements may be documented as the rollout continues2
.The combination of privacy-focused features and user choice mechanisms suggests Mozilla is attempting to differentiate itself in a crowded browser market. While competitors rush to integrate AI capabilities, Firefox positions itself as offering flexibility rather than forcing a single vision on all users.
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What This Means for Browser Competition and User Choice
The introduction of comprehensive AI controls in Firefox 148 creates a precedent other browser makers may need to consider. As AI features become standard across Chrome, Edge, and other platforms, users who reject these integrations have limited options. Mozilla's approach acknowledges that not everyone views AI as an improvement to their browsing experience, and that privacy concerns around LLMs remain significant for certain user segments.
Short-term implications include potential user retention among Firefox's privacy-conscious base, who might have migrated to alternative browsers if forced to accept AI features. Long-term, this strategy could attract users frustrated with AI proliferation in other browsers, though it remains unclear whether this niche is large enough to reverse Firefox's declining market share. The success of this dual approach—offering both a modern AI browser experience and a complete AI-free option—will likely influence how other browser developers balance innovation with user autonomy in future updates.
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