Firefox Is Getting a Free Built-In VPN

If your browser of choice is Firefox, good news: your web browsing is about to get a little more private. On Tuesday, Mozilla announced a number of upcoming updates for Firefox, all under the theme of user customization. One of these options is a built-in VPN that Mozilla will offer to users for free.

This new VPN option in Firefox will roll out on March 24, as part of Firefox 149. No download is required, since the VPN is bundled with the update: once it hits your browser, you can enable the VPN and start hiding your IP address and location while you use Firefox.

The only caveat here is that Mozilla caps VPN data usage at 50GB per month. The company doesn’t say what happens once you hit that data limit, and I’ve asked for clarification, but I assume the VPN will simply turn off, returning you to Firefox’s default browsing experience, at least until the next month begins and your data limit resets.

Why you should always use a VPN

If you use the Internet without a VPN, you are tracked (yes, even if you use a private browsing window). Without a Virtual Private Network, your IP address is exposed to the Internet. Trackers can follow you around the web, and your Internet service provider can keep tabs on what you’re doing. A VPN alone won’t make you immune to tracking, but it goes a long way without having much of an impact on your browsing experience.

There are many VPNs to choose from, and they are not all equal. However, the general rule is to be wary of free VPNs. It’s often a case of “you get what you pay for”, as many free options aren’t necessarily “honest”. After all, companies don’t make money directly from you, so they may look for data sharing solutions to make money. As such, they can end up compromising your privacy, defeating the purpose of the VPN in the first place.

However, I don’t see Firefox’s free VPN raising these red flags. Mozilla has a better track record than most when it comes to user privacy and, in fact, already offers a paid VPN. From my perspective, adding a free, limited VPN to Firefox is just a win-win situation for Mozilla: the company gets points for boosting users’ privacy for free, and if those users are looking for more flexibility while still maintaining their anonymity on the Internet, they can check out Mozilla’s paid VPN option.

What else will happen to Firefox in the next update?

In its Tuesday post, Mozilla announced other new features for Firefox in addition to its free VPN, including the following:

• Smart window: This feature, previously called AI Window, uses AI to offer “quick help” while you browse, without actually leaving the page you are on. This help may include things like definitions, article summaries, and product comparisons. Mozilla says the feature is optional and optional, consistent with the company’s stance on optional AI features only.

• Split view: This places two web pages side by side in the same window, following similar functionality in other browsers like Chrome.

• Tab Notes: This feature allows you to add notes to tabs, up to 1,000 characters. A note will remain attached to the web page until you delete it, even if you close the tab.

• A new look: Firefox introduces a “new look”, including updated themes, icons, toolbars, menu and home page.