Menu

Search

  |   Technology

Menu

  |   Technology

Search

Mozilla Backpedals After Firefox Users Freak Out Over ‘Mr. Robot’ Extension Fiasco

Of all the web browsing platforms available in the market, Mozilla Firefox is considered to be one of the highest rated in terms of respecting users’ privacy. However, the non-profit recently faced backlash from users when it installed an extension called “Looking Glass” on its browser without permission. This freaked out some internet surfers who thought that they were just hacked.

The extension, in question, is actually tied to the massively popular TV show called Mr. Robot. The show is about hackers causing all kinds of mischief and given Mozilla’s actions, the development can almost be considered funny. Users were not amused, however, with many complaining on Reddit about the extension being installed without their permission.

“So I just opened my add-ons tab and found an extension called "Looking Glass". I have no idea what it is or where it came from. I freaked out a bit and uninstalled it immediately. The description said something along the lines of: "my reality is different than yours" and then a bunch of names of the people who developed the extension,” one post reads.

The company was immediately bombarded with complaints from users, which CNET notes come at a particularly bad time. The non-profit’s chief marketing officer, Jascha Kaykas-Wolff acknowledged that they messed up and assured users that the extension would no longer be installed in the way that it was. Unfortunately, the damage was already done for many users.

When Mozilla launched Firefox Quantum last month, it was basically the company’s big bet in drawing away users from Chrome. The tech firm even ran an ad campaign mocking Google’s browser, highlighting how it is always keeping track of users.

This development hurt the image that Mozilla was trying to build for Firefox, which was being marketed as a browser that is meant to benefit the people the most, not corporations. By installing the Mr. Robot extension without permission, it has effectively worked against its own goals.

  • Market Data
Close

Welcome to EconoTimes

Sign up for daily updates for the most important
stories unfolding in the global economy.