Firefox to Discontinue Sideloaded Extensions (blog.mozilla.org)

Article summary

Mozilla is discontinuing support for sideloaded extensions in Firefox, citing issues with user control and malware installation. This change aims to give users more control over their extensions by requiring explicit installation and removal. The change will be implemented in Firefox version 74, with a transitional stage in version 73 to ensure no installed add-ons are lost. Developers can still self-distribute extensions, but they must meet Mozilla's Add-on Policies and Developer Agreement.

Main themes

• extension installation
• user control
• malware protection
• developer policies
• Firefox updates

What commenters say

• The removal of sideloaded extensions is a positive change that enhances user safety by preventing silent installations of malicious extensions.
• The change is seen as restrictive and hostile to power users who value flexibility and control over their browser.
• Some users are concerned about the impact on distributions that install browser extensions from package repositories.
• The change may not affect manual installation of extensions, but rather requires explicit user confirmation for all installations.
• The communication of this change could have been clearer to avoid confusion among users and developers.
• The trade-off between safety and functionality is a recurring debate, with some arguing that safest defaults are best for the general public, while others prioritize user choice and control.
• The ability to fork Firefox and create custom builds with preferred behaviors is seen as a potential solution for users who disagree with Mozilla's decisions.