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Disable Firefox telemetry

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.
  • Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
  • Multiple actionsThis page belongs to a category, containing some changes with similar goal.
  • Impact: Minimum

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Low

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

  • Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
  • 12 scripts
  • 2 categories
  • Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

    You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

By default, Firefox collects telemetry data 1. This data comprises two main categories: interaction data and technical data 1.

Interaction data includes metrics such as the number of open tabs and windows, the number of webpages visited, the number and type of installed Firefox Add-ons, session length, and interactions with features offered by Mozilla or third parties. These features may include Firefox search features and search partner referrals 1.

Technical data provides information about your Firefox version and language, device operating system and hardware configuration, memory, basic crash and error information, as well as the outcome of automated processes like updates and safe browsing 1.

Note that Firefox logs your personally identifiable IP address 1.

Safe for General Use
All actions in this script is recommended for all users. This is recommended for all users to improve without any noticeable impact on the system functionality.
Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

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Choose one of two ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Free
  • Open-source

Normal — Everyday Privacy (Enterprise-Grade)​

  • Recommended for all
  • Safe for daily use
  • No impact on system stability

Read more about Normal and other protection levels

Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Firefox telemetry" using script​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Shows the code
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable Firefox telemetry" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the category name: Disable Firefox telemetry
    2. Check the category by clicking on the checkbox of the category.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Explore This Guide​

  • 12 Privacy settings
  • 2 Main categories
    • These settings are organized into 2 main categories for easy navigation.
    • Each main category contains subcategories, helping you find specific settings you might want to adjust.
  • 2 Total categories

Choose what to protect based on your needs:

Click any option to learn more about what it does.

Each change can be applied and reversed individually.

  • Some settings and commands may require technical knowledge to apply correctly.
  • Most users find the Normal protection above sufficient.

Disable Firefox telemetry logs

Firefox logs telemetry information in various locations, such as the console and "stdout". This logged information reveals details about your usage pattern.

Disable Firefox telemetry pings

A telemetry ping refers to the data that Firefox transmits to Mozilla's Telemetry servers. It comes in different types and includes information collected by telemetry.

Disable collection of technical and interaction data in Firefox

This script alters the "datareporting.healthreport.uploadEnabled" preference, effectively disabling it. This preference regulates whether Firefox sends telemetry data. The script halts all data transmitted from Firefox to Mozilla via Telemetry, preventing Firefox from sending technical and interaction data to Mozilla. For reasons of military security, it's recommended by the U.S. government (NIST 800-53) that this data collection is disabled.: https://web.archive.org/web/20221015103136/https://b...

Disable detailed telemetry collection in Firefox

This script disables the "toolkit.telemetry.enabled" preference, which controls whether the Telemetry module is enabled. It's configured to be enabled in nightly, aurora, beta, or default (developer) builds. In release builds, however, it's set to false. This setting is hard-coded into the C++ code to prevent easy disabling. Developers have been approached about this issue, but have rejected proposals to unlock it. Mozilla's plan is to deprecate this setting eventually, followed by removal. This...

Disable archiving of Firefox telemetry

This script configures the "toolkit.telemetry.archive.enabled" preference to be disabled, thus preventing telemetry pings from being archived locally. For reasons of military security, the U.S. government (NIST 800-53) recommends disabling this setting.: https://web.archive.org/web/20221015104801/https://stigviewer.com/stig/mozilla_firefox/2020-12-10/finding/V-223171

Disable Firefox unified telemetry

This script is designed to disable the "toolkit.telemetry.unified" preference. If this preference is enabled, it results in two effects: 1. Firstly, telemetry will always be enabled and recording base data. 2. Secondly, additional main pings will be sent. This preference is enabled by default. The "toolkit.telemetry.unified" preference signifies whether the Telemetry system is operating in Unified mode or not. However, it's worth noting that this feature is planned to be phased out and is consid...

Clear Firefox telemetry user ID

Firefox uses "toolkit.telemetry.cachedClientID" as an identifier for the client and/or the user. This ID is static and is used to identify the user.

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

Mozilla Firefox, colloquially known as Firefox, is a free and open-source web browser created by the Mozilla Foundation and its subsidiary, the Mozilla Corporation...
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Same Goal​

Other guides in Configure Firefox 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Harden Firefox privacy
Disable Firefox Pioneer program
Disable Firefox Phishing Protection (Safe Browsing) (decreases security)
Disable connection tests (breaks automatic Wi-Fi login)

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process