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Calibre 9.0 Open-Source Ebook Manager Released (9to5linux.com)
submitted 9 months ago by to c/opensource@programming.dev
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[–] 4 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I recently heard a great interview with the President of Mozilla where he basically says exactly this. It's all about options. Yes, Firefox now incorporates AI, but it makes it super easy to turn it off if you want. Which is a major contrast from Microsoft and Google which shove it down your throat.

Link to interview with timecode.

That's the nuance you need. Give people the option to do what they want. Make it easy either way.

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  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago (1 child)

    While user consent (default on vs default off, or any choice at all) is a different-but-related topic, Mozilla bake it all in, enable it all by default, and make it difficult to disable. (Settings would be "super easy" and would show it was intended as a permanent choice.)

    These aren't actions and design decisions indicative of having the best interests of users in mind. Especially given how closed the mobile client already is.

    It seems to be designed in a way that leaves Mozilla the option of removing the ability to disable it, presumably if it becomes profitable enough and/or they think they can get away with it.

    But for now on this point they get a pass from me on the desktop version in a personal environment where the user has the most control.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    Apart from the notification that there's a new version with AI, I can't say that I've noticed AI in Firefox at all. And I haven't even bothered (as far as I remember) going anywhere to try and turn it off.

    That certainly doesn't feel remotely comparable to Chrome and Chredge.

    Their blog post about it seems pretty clear, and it sounds good to me.

    • First: Every product we build must give people agency in how it works. Privacy, data use, and AI must be clear and understandable. Controls must be simple. AI should always be a choice — something people can easily turn off. People should know why a feature works the way it does and what value they get from it.
    • Second: our business model must align with trust. We will grow through transparent monetization that people recognize and value.
    • Third: Firefox will grow from a browser into a broader ecosystem of trusted software. Firefox will remain our anchor. It will evolve into a modern AI browser and support a portfolio of new and trusted software additions.

    And considering they're a non-profit, I don't see any particular reason to doubt their honesty.

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  • [–] 1 point 9 months ago

    I disagree with you too.

    They never offer you the choice. The turn it on by default, and do not even inform you of how or where to turn it off.

    Giving users a choice would mean an option during install or first run.

    1. How should Firefox incorporate AI on this profile? A) running when FF starts B) turn on AI at user request at time of request C) disable all AI on this profile

    That to me looks like choice. I do use Firefox as my main.

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