The Forking Paths of Firefox: Privacy vs. the Free Software Ethos

Mozilla's recent actions have angered many Firefox users, prompting them to seek alternatives. This article explores several Firefox forks, such as GNU IceCat, Floorp, LibreWolf, and Zen, each emphasizing different aspects of privacy protection and free software principles. IceCat prioritizes free software, enhancing privacy with extensions like LibreJS and JShelter; Floorp focuses on user experience, featuring dual sidebars and workspace functionalities; LibreWolf concentrates on privacy and security, removing tracking features from Firefox; and Zen boasts a modern interface and extensive customization options. While these forks offer users more choices, they all rely on Mozilla's underlying development, facing challenges in security updates and maintenance.