Mozilla Launches Kill Switch to Disable Firefox AI Features

Taylor Keatsman

Published: February 4, 2026 11:46 AM ET

Mozilla Launches Kill Switch to Disable Firefox AI Features

Mozilla has unveiled its latest update, Firefox 148, introducing a pivotal feature catering to user preferences regarding artificial intelligence (AI). This update responds to rising concerns about privacy and security, offering users unparalleled control over AI functionalities embedded in the browser.

Firefox 148 and the New AI Kill Switch

The standout feature in Firefox 148 is the “Block AI enhancements” toggle, designed as a kill switch to disable all generative AI capabilities. This centralized setting helps users who are cautious about AI integration while browsing. By activating this option, users not only disable AI features but also prevent prompts that encourage their use.

AI Controls Overview

Firefox now provides a dedicated AI controls section in the desktop settings. Users can manage five specific AI functionalities individually:

Intelligent Translation: Supports multilingual browsing without the need for external translation services.
Accessibility Features: Generates alt text for PDF images, enhancing accessibility through AI.
AI-Enhanced Tab Grouping: Suggests related browsing contexts and assigns descriptive names based on content analysis.
Link Preview Functionality: Displays summarized content extracted from external URLs before navigation.
Integrated AI Chatbot Sidebar: Includes multiple AI models, like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, for conversational assistance during browsing.

Security and User Control

These new controls reflect Mozilla’s understanding of user apprehensions about AI-related security risks. The persistent preference storage ensures that user-selected settings remain intact even during updates. This is significant for organizations seeking to mitigate potential vulnerabilities that AI features may introduce.

Moreover, early access to these capabilities is available through Firefox Nightly. This allows security researchers and technical users to assess any vulnerabilities related to AI functionalities before the broader rollout.

Commitment to Privacy and User Agency

Mozilla’s initiative to provide a kill switch for AI features contrasts with other browsers that often activate AI functions by default. This approach positions Firefox as a leader in responsible AI integration within the web browser landscape.

The launch of Firefox 148 indicates a broader industry movement towards user-controlled AI deployment, particularly addressing the needs of cybersecurity professionals. This emphasis on transparent and manageable AI implementations demonstrates Mozilla’s commitment to protecting user privacy while recognizing valid use cases for AI.

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