Unknown Mozilla dev addon "Looking Glass 1.0.3" on browser

(support.mozilla.org)

757 points shak77 | 2 comments | 15 Dec 17 13:47 UTC | HN request time: 0.514s | source

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hitekker ◴[15 Dec 17 19:26 UTC] No.15934310[source]▶

1) Mozilla uses weird, spooky language in an add-on.

2) Users are justifiably concerned.

3) Mozilla explains that the add-on is actually anodyne; the developers responsible were having fun with an opt-in research service.

4) Some users try to justify their initial overreaction by painting Firefox as mysterious, dangerous entity, fabulating conspiracy theories about one of the most forthright and open OSS companies in the world.

Really, guys. If Mozilla was hellbent on invading your privacy, do you really think they would proudly entitle their tracker "Looking Glass". Or would they call it debugservice_1223?

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1. callahad ◴[15 Dec 17 20:21 UTC] No.15934746[source]▶

>>15934310 #

Thanks for the positive take, but I do think that folks are justified in their anger.

Even though the add-on itself was innocuous, the context around its scope, delivery, and presentation were not what they should have been.

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2. hitekker ◴[15 Dec 17 22:02 UTC] No.15935609[source]▶

>>15934746 (TP) #

Justified in their concerns, certainly. But not in their seething, frothing paranoia.

We have people comparing the installation of a near-stub browser add-on by the browser vendor, to full-on home invasions.

The language was a mistake and should have not been pushed out, or maybe even written to begin with. Mozilla ought to remember how skittish their userbase can be.

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