Gorhill pulls uBlock Origin Lite from Firefox store (neowin.net)

Article summary

The developer of uBlock Origin Lite, Raymond Hill, has pulled the extension from the Firefox Add-ons Store due to a 'nonsensical and hostile' review process. The review team had flagged the extension for allegedly collecting user data and containing obfuscated code, claims that Hill disputed. Despite Mozilla later admitting their error and apologizing, Hill decided to self-host the extension. The original uBlock Origin extension remains available and supported in the Firefox Add-ons Store.

Main themes

• uBlock Origin Lite
• Firefox Add-ons Store
• Extension review process
• Mozilla apology
• Self-hosting
• Browser extensions

What commenters say

• The review process for extensions in the Firefox Add-ons Store is flawed and can lead to false positives, causing frustration for developers.
• Mozilla's apology for the mistake was insufficient and did not address the underlying issues with their review process.
• The decision to self-host uBlock Origin Lite may make it harder for users to discover and install the extension, potentially affecting its long-term stability.
• The incident highlights the importance of a reliable and efficient review process for browser extensions to maintain user trust and ensure the security of the ecosystem.
• Some argue that Mozilla's review process is necessary to protect users, while others believe it can be overly restrictive and harmful to developers.
• The relationship between Mozilla and extension developers is crucial, and incidents like this can damage the trust and cooperation between them.
• The availability of uBlock Origin in the Firefox Add-ons Store is not affected by the removal of uBlock Origin Lite, and users can continue to use the original extension.
• The issue may be a symptom of a larger problem with Mozilla's priorities and management, with some commenting that the organization has become too focused on trends and investor interests.