AI is turning into a part of virtually each web site we go to, however not everyone seems to be on board with the change. Whereas a few of us take pleasure in having a digital assistant prepared to assist, many others are fearful about their information being shared or are merely bored with fixed pop-ups. Mozilla has been paying shut consideration to those considerations and is launching a serious replace to place customers again within the driving seat.
On 24 February 2026, the corporate will launch Firefox 148. This model introduces a devoted AI controls part within the desktop settings. This isn’t only a minor tweak; it consists of what consultants are calling a “international kill change” that permits you to choose out of AI options totally.
Choosing what works for you
When you go into your desktop settings, you’ll discover a new toggle referred to as Block AI enhancements. When you flip this change, Firefox shuts down all present and future AI instruments in a single go.
This transfer is about greater than only a clear display. When AI options are energetic, they generally ship information to exterior corporations for processing. Within the tech world, these are often known as API calls. By utilizing the brand new toggle, you chop off these connections utterly. Moreover, it additionally stops the browser from continuously nudging you to check out new options.
Earlier than the official launch, these instruments are being examined in Firefox Nightly, an early model of the browser. Mozilla can be asking for ideas by means of their Mozilla Join neighborhood hub to verify they get the steadiness proper.
Customising your browser
When you aren’t able to go completely AI-free, you don’t need to. You possibly can choose and select which bits you truly like. For instance, you may wish to maintain the sidebar chatbot, which helps you to use instruments like ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google Gemini, Claude, or Le Chat Mistral, whereas turning off different options. Different choices you possibly can handle embrace:
- Translations: That will help you learn web sites in your personal language.
- Hyperlink Previews: Exhibiting you the details of a web page earlier than you even click on the hyperlink.
- AI Tab Grouping: Which suggests names and classes to maintain your messy tabs organised.
- PDF Alt-Textual content: An incredible accessibility device that describes photos in paperwork for the visually impaired.
Mozilla’s objective is to make sure that your preferences keep the identical even after the browser updates. Whether or not you like the brand new tech or wish to maintain issues conventional, you lastly have the ultimate say over the way you browse.
