Just know I saw this, because I would never ever visit freaking groupon. “Sponsored shortcuts” can be disabled in the settings . Bleh :(

  • Scrubbles@poptalk.scrubbles.tech
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    1 month ago

    That’s always been there though, every time I install Firefox I have to disable that and Pocket. Linux, Windows, Mobile, all of them.

    • HootinNHollerin@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      I just looked thru settings and customize homepage and don’t see any option to turn them off

      Edit: found it, have to go to customize homepage >shortcuts >toggle off sponsored shortcuts

      • zkfcfbzr@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        I dunno about the iOS version, but on the desktop and Android versions both you can also disable them directly from the new tab page itself.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zip
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      1 month ago

      Use something Firefox based that has it already disabled.

      I use Librewolf on desktop and Mull on mobile.

  • Einar@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    I mean, I’m not a big fan of it either. On the other hand, I want Firefox to continue to grow and be actively developed and supported. If not from sources like these - to me unobtrusive - ads, where else can their revenue come from?

    Not trying to be controversial. Just asking. What business opportunities would we support Mozilla in that we’d be happy with?

    • calabast@lemm.ee
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      1 month ago

      There was/is a recent lawsuit against Google for paying other browsers to make google the default search engine, and I think it was ruled against Google. And that payment is like 81% of Mozilla’s income. So if they have to stop those payments, Mozilla’s is gonna have to find some other ways to make money or cut back massively on their budget. So while I don’t like ads, if Mozilla has to do this to stay around, I’ll support them. If I got any facts wrong here, someone please correct me.

    • cley_faye@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      The money that goes in (and out) of Mozilla is well documented. At this point it’s mostly google. And it mostly pays for administration of the corporation itself.

    • Possibly linux@lemmy.zip
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      1 month ago

      I could care less about Mozilla. Supporting for profit businesses is kind of silly as they will never support you. Buy something that you like but don’t have blind brand loyalty. You should serve yourself first.

      • ahal@lemmy.ca
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        1 month ago

        I agree with the sentiment, but in this case Mozilla is a non-profit.

        And before someone jumps in… Yes, Mozilla Corporation is technically for profit, but it’s 100% owned by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation.

        • Possibly linux@lemmy.zip
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          1 month ago

          Clearly they want profit or else they would be running a fund raiser. I personally don’t see Mozilla as a nonprofit in reality. Same story with OpenAI

          • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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            1 month ago

            I mean, it’s not just a thing you can call yourselves, there’s a legal definition. There’s no way to pay money out of a nonprofit into your pocket without committing embezzlement.

            • hedgehog@ttrpg.network
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              1 month ago

              If you work for a nonprofit, you can be paid a salary; if you control a nonprofit, you can pay higher salaries to yourself and/or your friends.

              • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
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                1 month ago

                Yep. At which point that becomes embezzlement is super vague, but presumably it would be at some point. If you’re just a little loose with self compensation as opposed to potentially sinking the organisation, though, it would be hard to prosecute you.

                This also goes for the feed-the-starving-kids type nonprofits. I’m aware of examples that spend most of their budget on management and marketing IRL.

                IANAL

      • Mr_Blott@feddit.uk
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        1 month ago

        You should serve yourself first

        Yep, start by learning that the expression is “I couldn’t care less” so you don’t come across as an idiot

  • hedgehogging_the_bed@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Is there a Browser where I don’t have to turn off these type of sponsored links? I’ve done it in Chrome, Firefox and Opera at minimum.

  • Matth78@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    Can’t you disable it in settings? On android there is an option to toggle off sponsored shortcuts.
    I agree they shouldn’t force it on but at least with minimal effort and if it’s really annoying it’s easy to disable.

    • cley_faye@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Yes, you can. The same way you can disable a lot of annoying things in other programs. Still an annoyance at the expense of users, and a gateway to more passive users to click on something unexpected.

  • 9point6@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Google blocks ublock on chrome just as Firefox adds first party ads

    Fan-fucking-tastic

    • sigmaklimgrindset@sopuli.xyz
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      1 month ago

      Wym “just as”, those sponsored links for Firefox have been around for a while, haven’t they? I definitely remember turning that setting off a while ago.

      • 9point6@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        The title starts with “suddenly” implying it’s something new compared to the old sponsored links

        • bonn2@lemm.ee
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          1 month ago

          I can say these sponsored shortcuts have been around for ages, I remember turning them off a long time ago.

  • ObsidianZed@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    On Mobile devices, I simply don’t use the homepage. I always disable it and use a blank page.

    On desktop, I use a homepage/new tab replacer.