Why does Firefox ask you to sign up for VPN? Doesn't that defeat the purpose, since they'll know who you are, where you browse, and can sell that info? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 3 days ago by pelespirit@sh.itjust.works to c/asklemmy@sh.itjust.works

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https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/products/vpn/

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[-] HubertManne@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

VPN's to me have limited usefulness. Its basically just buying a new endpoint where your first one is your isp. The big thing is if the vpn does not keep logs and/or runs completely in memory. I mean your isp could do that but I don't know of any that make the claim. You are pretty much relying on the vpn doing what it says it does privacy wise. Besides that it can be useful to seem to come from a different physical location but again the logs of the vpn would say where you came from.

[-] Zachariah@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

Their VPN protects against LAN/WiFi and ISP snooping.

Every VPN requires you trust the tunnel provider.

Mozilla offers a completely optional service. Use a different VPN if prefer—though most require you create an account. Firefox doesn’t require a VPN for web browsing.

[-] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago

Why couldn't they just do all of that without a sign in if it's free though?

[-] ricecake@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 days ago

Is their vpn free? You're signing up for a VPN service that has a limited amount of bandwidth provided at no cost.

Their angle isn't to sell your data, it's for you to want to upgrade to the paid plan.

You won't find a VPN that has no ability to share information about you.

[-] Zachariah@lemmy.world 5 points 3 days ago

Why do any VPNs require an account?

Not sure I can answer that. If there’s any kind of billing, they’d at least need to make sure the computer connecting to a tunnel is being used by a paying user. Mullvad does a privacy-minded token system for that, but it’s still a kind of login.

If you’re looking for private browsing without a login, you’ll want to use TOR.

[-] sem@piefed.blahaj.zone 4 points 3 days ago

Firefox wants to be like Apple:

On apple, they will protect your privacy except from themselves

[-] BeMoreCareful@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

I mean, are they complying with the government?

[-] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 days ago

Yes.

[-] pelespirit@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 days ago

Fr? They are that shady now?

[-] adarza@lemmy.ca 8 points 3 days ago

mozilla isn't "shady". they have ventured into providing some optional 'paid' services so they can generate some revenue outside of their long-standing google deal to be the default search.. because if that deal disappears, so does the vast majority of their funding.

you'd have the same 'concerns' with any vpn provider.

afaik, mozilla just resells a branded mullvad service.

do you trust them? do you trust them more than google? apple? your telco or cable company or satellite provider? more than motorola, samsung, or other mass-market handset makers? you should. mozilla is on your side--the others? nope. not a one.

[-] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 3 days ago

mozilla is on your side

Oof. That's gonna sting later....

[-] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 3 days ago

When someone shows you who they are, you'd better pay attention. ✊🏼

[-] one_old_coder@piefed.social 2 points 3 days ago

Anonymity is a side-effect of some VPNs.

[-] its_kim_love@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 3 days ago

Coming to you in the guise of a friend.

this post was submitted on 10 May 2026

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