Firefox is Adding an Option to Disable AI Features
Mozilla announced that on February 24th, it will add a new control option to the Firefox browser update, allowing users to disable all artificial intelligence features with a single master switch.
A Step Towards User Control
As AI integration rapidly increases in the tech world, the Firefox browser from Mozilla has made a move that respects user preferences. The company announced that with an update to be released on February 24, 2026, it will add a new 'AI Control' option to the browser's settings menu. With this feature, users will be able to disable all AI features included in the browser at once or individually select the features they want.
What Can Be Controlled?
Among the AI features users will be able to manage are access to the built-in AI chatbot, automatic translations, AI suggestions for tab groups, and many other tools. Additionally, it will be possible to control from this menu whether Firefox generates alternative text for images in PDFs or produces key points in link previews. The system is designed to cover all existing features as well as all AI tools planned to be added in the future.
Emphasis on Transparency and Trust
In a statement, Firefox Vice President of Product Ajit Varma said, "AI is changing the web and people expect very different things from it. Many people state they don't want to engage with AI in any way. Others are looking for truly useful AI tools. Listening to our community and our commitment to offering choice led us to create these AI controls."
Mozilla CEO Anthony Enzor-DeMeo had also promised an AI 'off switch' last year in response to users unhappy with Firefox's approach to AI. Enzor-DeMeo had said, "Choice matters, and demonstrating our commitment to choice is how we build and maintain trust." This promise is now being realized as a concrete feature.
A Different Approach from the Competition
Firefox has increased its AI investments over the past year similarly to rivals like Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome, announcing it was working on a feature that allows iPhone users to shake the browser to summarize online content they are reading and an 'AI Window'. However, unlike its competitors, this approach, which gives the user ultimate control, creates a notable difference in the industry. This move emphasizes the importance given to user privacy and choice during a period of rapidly increasing AI investments.
