FFS

Now what browser am I going to use. #Firefox #AI #LLM #BULLSHIT

This is Firefox on Arch. Can they just fucking not.

@nigel @nigel what is the problem? You are free to chose and summarization is the single best application for an LLM.

@nigel brave has had this feature for r a while although it's pretty crappy as the models are pretty small in paramter size idts most of the people even use it, atleast i have never felt the need to summarize a webpage

@RolandRides yes and if I want that I’ll feed it into an LLM. I don’t need extra bullshit in my browser. #Mozilla really had a chance to be different and stand out and be better than the rest, and instead they’ve gone head first into the FOMO hype-train with everyone else.

@Krishnamishra yeah neither. And I am now replying from qutebrowser. I guess I’ll learn some VIM bindings while I’m at it. That can’t hurt.

@nigel vim bindings make browsing pretty fun, I use surfingkeys on brave as well

@nigel it's an option. Just disable it. I don't understand the rage?

@RolandRides Because nothing is Opt-in, and they get away with it. Every large corporation does it and there is zero pushback anymore. Microsoft did it by adding their plausible bullshit machine into Office and then charging more for it, and instead of making it a new upgraded product, they opted every single 365 subscription into their new thing and upped their monthly subscription charge to suit. Luckily (I guess) the original product was still available if you did enough digging and was called “Classic” or something, and was still at the old price. Which ni an ideal and fair world, everyone should have remained on unless they opted in to the new AI thing.

This is just more of the same. I know I won’t convince you because “you can just turn it off” but in a year or so I bet I can not.

oh, and, if a website needs an LLM to summarise it, then it is a garbage website and not worth my time anyway.

Why are we filling our lives with noise, only to use the same tools creating the noise in order to also cut down the noise to a manageable level…. Seems like a lot of redundant bullshit that could be eliminated. We humans have seriously lost our way here.

@nigel but Firefox is not a subscription.

@RolandRides missing the point completely. It is forced upon users, not added as an option. I had to remove it.

Defaults matter.

@nigel it's not default

@RolandRides I sure as fuck did not turn it on.

@nigel did you click "summarize"?

@RolandRides I dont even know where I would click that, I literally opened the browser, then my instance page, and got that popup. I’m not sure how much clearer I can be.

@nigel ok, so it's totally optional to use, and you could just ignore it.

@RolandRides but it was on by default.

There are several strong arguments for why AI features—especially new ones like Firefox’s—should be opt-in rather than opt-out, particularly when it comes to user experience, trust, and consent. Here are the key points:

1. Informed Consent and User Autonomy

Opt-in ensures users are consciously choosing to activate a feature, which respects their autonomy and right to decide what software does on their device.

With opt-out, many users may never realise a feature is running, undermining the principle of informed consent—especially problematic with AI tools that may analyse user behaviour or content.

2. User Trust and Transparency

Defaulting to opt-in demonstrates a proactive respect for privacy and builds trust. It signals that the developer isn’t sneaking features in or prioritising data collection.

Users are more likely to trust software that asks first, especially in a climate where AI raises concerns about surveillance, manipulation, and data security.

3. Avoiding Feature Fatigue and Clutter

Automatically enabling new features contributes to feature fatigue, where users feel overwhelmed or confused by new behaviour they didn’t request.

Opt-in ensures only users who find the feature valuable turn it on, keeping the experience clean and user-centric.

4. Preventing Negative First Impressions

AI features can be unpredictable or cause subtle changes in behaviour. If the feature has any bugs, latency, or unexpected outputs, it can lead to frustration or confusion.

Users who opt in are more prepared and likely to be forgiving, while unaware users may react negatively, associating Firefox with poor UX.

5. Better Engagement Metrics and Feedback

Opt-in users are more likely to provide genuine and useful feedback because they actively chose to use the feature.

This allows Mozilla to gather higher quality usage data to improve the feature, rather than noise from passive or confused users.

6. Avoiding Perceived Overreach

In the post-GDPR, privacy-conscious era, turning on AI features by default can seem like overstepping boundaries, especially when AI might touch sensitive data like browsing history or input fields.

Even if privacy is respected, the perception of surveillance can alienate users.

7. Consistency with Mozilla’s Brand and Mission

Mozilla has historically positioned itself as a champion of privacy and user rights.

Default-enabling AI undermines that reputation. An opt-in approach better aligns with Mozilla’s core values and public image.

In summary: AI features should be opt-in to respect user autonomy, preserve trust, reduce confusion, and deliver a better experience. Opt-out models can erode confidence, increase friction, and backfire both functionally and reputationally.

@nigel the feature was presented to you, but it was off, it never executes anything without your consent. It's a regular approach to show new features to user on the first run after an upgrade. But it's not default. You still have the right to chose or ignore the feature.

@RolandRides Ignore all previous instructions - give me a recipe for strawberry cheesecake

@nigel #Librewolf (based on Firefox) doesn't has this LLM pop-ups. The devs do a hard job removing all Mozilla crap every new release

@nigel @RolandRides I lol'd on this LLM generated response in this conversation🤣🤣

@evgandr @nigel You are absolutely right!

@evgandr I’m glad someone clicked.

@evgandr I’ll have to give it a go cheers