Firefox Introduces Granular Controls to Disable All Generative AI Features

Mozilla has announced that Firefox will introduce comprehensive controls allowing users to disable all generative AI functionality within the browser. The update addresses diverse user preferences regarding AI integration, offering both complete opt-out capabilities and granular feature management.

Beginning with Firefox 148, scheduled for release on February 24, users will gain access to a dedicated AI controls section within the desktop browser settings. The primary feature includes a "Block AI enhancements" toggle that, when enabled, suppresses all current and future AI-related features, eliminating pop-ups and notifications promoting AI functionality.

The new control panel enables users to manage individual AI features selectively, including:

• Translations - Real-time web content translation to preferred languages
• Alt text generation for PDFs - Automated accessibility enhancements
• AI-enhanced tab grouping - Intelligent tab organization
• Link previews - Contextual link information
• Sidebar AI chatbot integration - Access to multiple LLM providers including Anthropic Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, and Le Chat Mistral

"AI is transforming the web landscape, and user requirements vary significantly," Mozilla stated in their official announcement. "We've received feedback from users who prefer zero AI integration, as well as those seeking genuinely useful AI tools. This community feedback, combined with our commitment to user choice, drove the development of these controls."

This initiative follows the December appointment of Anthony Enzor-DeMeo as CEO, who outlined Mozilla's strategic approach to AI integration. Enzor-DeMeo emphasized that AI features would remain optional, stating: "AI should always be a choice — something users can easily disable. Users deserve transparency regarding feature functionality and value proposition."

The announcement reflects Mozilla's response to evolving market dynamics, as traditional browser leaders face competition from emerging players including Perplexity, Arc, OpenAI, and Opera. Despite investing in AI capabilities, Mozilla maintains focus on transparency and ethical AI development.

According to recent reports, Mozilla President Mark Surman is assembling what he describes as "a rebel alliance" comprising tech startups, developers, and public-interest technologists committed to AI trustworthiness and accountability. Mozilla has allocated approximately $1.4 billion in reserves to support technology businesses and nonprofits advancing AI transparency and countering unchecked growth among major AI providers like OpenAI and Anthropic.