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Firefox for iOS Gets Default Tracking Protection

The feature uses a list from Disconnect to identify and block trackers that normally follow you around the web, collecting your browsing history.

 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

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Mozilla's Firefox web browser for iOS devices now includes default Tracking Protection for both regular and private browsing.

The feature uses a list from Disconnect to identify and block trackers that normally follow you around the web, collecting your browsing history. It uses the same ad blocking technology that's found in Mozilla's Firefox Focus mobile apps as well as the desktop and Android versions of Firefox.

Previously, Firefox for iOS users had to manually enable Tracking Protection. Now, in Firefox for iOS 11, it's on by default, but you can tap the menu button and switch it off, if you so choose. You can also disable it on specific sites by long-pressing the URL bar and tapping the shield icon.

"At Mozilla we've always believed it's important to respect people's privacy and give them the control to decide which information they want to share, and what information they don't," Mozilla's Nick Nguyen wrote in a Thursday blog post. "Now more than ever consumers are demanding this from the companies with whom they share their data."

Tracking Protection has some side benefits besides ensuring that your browsing data remains private.

"Most people using tracking protection will notice that their web content loads faster for many websites, allowing them to save on data usage and providing optimized battery performance," Nguyen wrote.

Meanwhile, on the iPad front, you can now reorder tabs, drag and drop links between Firefox and other apps, and take advantage of more keyboard shortcuts like Command + Option + Tab for the all tabs view.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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