Mozilla’s parent company has faced numerous issues with its flagship browser, Firefox. Since changing the Terms of Use and Privacy Notice in February, users have reported various problems, including technical issues, slower speeds, and disappearing features. The removal of Pocket, a “read-it-later” program, and Fakespot, an AI tool to detect fake reviews, has also been widely criticized.
Firefox’s reliability has deteriorated, with users experiencing frequent freezes, crashes, and slow load times on popular websites like Instagram and LinkedIn. Even on high-end hardware, the browser is reportedly running 30% slower than competitors like Chrome. The development team has been accused of ignoring recent advancements in Tab Management.
Furthermore, Mozilla’s handling of Snap and Flatpak packaging for Linux has been deemed second-rate, and a recent root certificate expiration issue left users with only two days to update their browsers before losing access to essential add-ons and secure content. The company has also been laying off employees, with CEO Laura Chambers facing low approval ratings.
The US Department of Justice’s potential breakup of Google and Chrome may pose an even greater threat to Firefox’s existence, with Mozilla CFO Eric Muhlheim admitting that the company relies on 90% of its revenue on Google. With only 1.9% of the web browser market share, it remains unclear whether anyone will notice if Firefox disappears.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/17