Just know I saw this, because I would never ever visit freaking groupon. “Sponsored shortcuts” can be disabled in the settings . Bleh :(

  • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.techEnglish
    147·
    2 months ago

    That’s always been there though, every time I install Firefox I have to disable that and Pocket. Linux, Windows, Mobile, all of them.

    • HootinNHollerin@lemmy.worldEnglish
      25·
      2 months ago

      I just looked thru settings and customize homepage and don’t see any option to turn them off

      Edit: found it, have to go to customize homepage >shortcuts >toggle off sponsored shortcuts

      • zkfcfbzr@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        2 months ago

        I dunno about the iOS version, but on the desktop and Android versions both you can also disable them directly from the new tab page itself.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      Use something Firefox based that has it already disabled.

      I use Librewolf on desktop and Mull on mobile.

  • Einar@lemm.eeEnglish
    59·
    2 months ago

    I mean, I’m not a big fan of it either. On the other hand, I want Firefox to continue to grow and be actively developed and supported. If not from sources like these - to me unobtrusive - ads, where else can their revenue come from?

    Not trying to be controversial. Just asking. What business opportunities would we support Mozilla in that we’d be happy with?

    • CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      28·
      2 months ago

      While you’re not wrong, it’s not the right attitude.

      I donate to Mozilla every year. It’s not chump change either. It’s the largest donation I make to an open source project. They are listed as beneficiaries in my will. When I make my donation this year, I’m going to tell them that they risk my next donation going elsewhere if they keep the path they are on.

      The web is quickly becoming enshittified and we, users, have some say in this.

      The Linux kernel is self supported without ads and many distros are able to make releases without ads. A browser that is our direct connection to each other and the world should be no different.

      Librewolf is probably the best candidate but they rely on Firefox to continue developing. Maybe it’s time to focus on Librewolf and try to get it working with Firefox.

      • Serinus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        23·
        2 months ago

        There’s absolutely no way I’ll donate after they announced shutting down mozilla.social in favor of flushing their money down the AI path.

      • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        2 months ago

        I will not say that you’re not doing the right thing, but I’d suggest reading the financial statements of Mozilla. If you think the way they’re steering Firefox is an issue, you may find a few surprises in there.

      • setVeryLoud(true);@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        2 months ago

        The Linux kernel is sponsored by many, many large companies who also contribute heavily to it. It is not lacking funds at all.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
      8·
      2 months ago

      I could care less about Mozilla. Supporting for profit businesses is kind of silly as they will never support you. Buy something that you like but don’t have blind brand loyalty. You should serve yourself first.

      • ahal@lemmy.caEnglish
        8·
        2 months ago

        I agree with the sentiment, but in this case Mozilla is a non-profit.

        And before someone jumps in… Yes, Mozilla Corporation is technically for profit, but it’s 100% owned by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation.

        • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
          5·
          2 months ago

          Clearly they want profit or else they would be running a fund raiser. I personally don’t see Mozilla as a nonprofit in reality. Same story with OpenAI

          • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
            5·
            2 months ago

            I mean, it’s not just a thing you can call yourselves, there’s a legal definition. There’s no way to pay money out of a nonprofit into your pocket without committing embezzlement.

            • hedgehog@ttrpg.networkEnglish
              1·
              2 months ago

              If you work for a nonprofit, you can be paid a salary; if you control a nonprofit, you can pay higher salaries to yourself and/or your friends.

              • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
                1·
                2 months ago

                Yep. At which point that becomes embezzlement is super vague, but presumably it would be at some point. If you’re just a little loose with self compensation as opposed to potentially sinking the organisation, though, it would be hard to prosecute you.

                This also goes for the feed-the-starving-kids type nonprofits. I’m aware of examples that spend most of their budget on management and marketing IRL.

                IANAL

      • Mr_Blott@feddit.ukEnglish
        6·
        2 months ago

        You should serve yourself first

        Yep, start by learning that the expression is “I couldn’t care less” so you don’t come across as an idiot

    • calabast@lemm.eeEnglish
      4·
      2 months ago

      There was/is a recent lawsuit against Google for paying other browsers to make google the default search engine, and I think it was ruled against Google. And that payment is like 81% of Mozilla’s income. So if they have to stop those payments, Mozilla’s is gonna have to find some other ways to make money or cut back massively on their budget. So while I don’t like ads, if Mozilla has to do this to stay around, I’ll support them. If I got any facts wrong here, someone please correct me.

    • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 months ago

      The money that goes in (and out) of Mozilla is well documented. At this point it’s mostly google. And it mostly pays for administration of the corporation itself.

  • hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.worldEnglish
    17·
    2 months ago

    Is there a Browser where I don’t have to turn off these type of sponsored links? I’ve done it in Chrome, Firefox and Opera at minimum.

    • Serinus@lemmy.worldEnglish
      7·
      2 months ago

      On the other hand, it’s the absolute least intrusive marketing, you can turn it off permanently, and it supports Mozilla who are one of the main bulwarks defending privacy.

      • Possibly linux@lemmy.zipEnglish
        4·
        2 months ago

        Targeted marketing is not privacy friendly ever. Mozilla doesn’t need your support. It is up to them to make a profit not you. Don’t sacrifice yourself for the sake some some company.

      • Interstellar_1English
        7·
        2 months ago

        Surprised you didn’t mention the commonly mentioned ones, like librewolf, mullvad browser, mull, cromite, fennec

  • 9point6@lemmy.worldEnglish
    16·
    2 months ago

    Google blocks ublock on chrome just as Firefox adds first party ads

    Fan-fucking-tastic

  • Matth78@lemm.eeEnglish
    7·
    2 months ago

    Can’t you disable it in settings? On android there is an option to toggle off sponsored shortcuts.
    I agree they shouldn’t force it on but at least with minimal effort and if it’s really annoying it’s easy to disable.

    • cley_faye@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      Yes, you can. The same way you can disable a lot of annoying things in other programs. Still an annoyance at the expense of users, and a gateway to more passive users to click on something unexpected.

  • ObsidianZed@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    2 months ago

    On Mobile devices, I simply don’t use the homepage. I always disable it and use a blank page.

    On desktop, I use a homepage/new tab replacer.