Firefox rolls out Total Cookie Protection by default to all users (blog.mozilla.org)

Article summary

Firefox is rolling out Total Cookie Protection by default to all users, a feature that confines cookies to the site where they were created, preventing tracking companies from using these cookies to track browsing across sites. This feature is part of Firefox's efforts to protect user privacy and provide a more secure browsing experience. Total Cookie Protection works by creating a separate 'cookie jar' for each website, isolating cookies and preventing them from being shared between sites. This approach aims to balance privacy protection with the need for cookies to fulfill their less invasive use cases, such as providing accurate analytics.

Main themes

• Cookie tracking and privacy
• Browser security and safety
• Online advertising and data economy
• Single-sign-on and authentication
• Browser market share and competition
• Privacy vs convenience trade-off

What commenters say

• Total Cookie Protection may not completely prevent tracking, but it makes it more difficult for trackers to collect user data.
• The feature may affect single-sign-on implementations, potentially requiring users to enter their username and password more frequently.
• Some commenters believe that Microsoft should prioritize privacy in its Edge browser, while others think the company is more focused on revenue from the data economy.
• The effectiveness of Total Cookie Protection in protecting user privacy is debated, with some arguing that it is a step in the right direction and others thinking it does not go far enough.
• The impact of Total Cookie Protection on the web and online services is uncertain, with potential effects on embedding, SSO, and other features.
• Some commenters think that the feature's exceptions for popular third-party login providers may entrench existing providers and hinder competition.
• The feature's effect on user experience and the trade-off between privacy and convenience is discussed, with some thinking it is a worthwhile compromise and others believing it may break certain features or services.