Firefox Is Getting a Free Built-In VPN

If your browser of choice happens to be Firefox, good news: Your web surfing is about to get a bit more private. On Tuesday, Mozilla announced a number of upcoming updates to Firefox, all under the theme of user customizability. One such option happens to be a built-in VPN that Mozilla will offer users free of charge.

This new VPN option in Firefox rolls out March 24, as part of Firefox 149. There are no downloads required, since the VPN is baked into the update: Once it hits your browser, you'll be able to turn on the VPN and start hiding your IP address and location while you use Firefox.

The only caveat here is that Mozilla is capping VPN data usage at 50GB per month. The company doesn't say what happens once you hit that data limit, and I've reached out for clarification, but my guess is that the VPN will simply switch off, sending you back to Firefox's default browsing experience—at least until the next month starts, and your data limit resets.

Why you should always use a VPN

If you use the internet without a VPN, you're being tracked (yes, even if you use an incognito window). Without a Virtual Private Network, your IP address is exposed to the internet. Trackers can follow you around the web, and your internet service provider can keep tabs on what you're doing. A VPN alone won't make you impervious to tracking, but it does go a long way—all without having much impact on your browsing experience.

There are a lot of VPNs out there to choose from, and not all of them are equal. However, the general rule of thumb is to be wary of free VPNs. This is often a case of "you get what you pay for," as many free options aren't necessarily "upstanding." The companies aren't making any money off you directly, after all, so they may seek out data-sharing solutions to make money instead. As such, they may end up compromising your privacy in the end, defeating the purpose of the VPN in the first place.

I don't see Firefox's free VPN raising those red flags, however. Mozilla has a better track record than most when it comes to user privacy, and, in fact, already offers a paid VPN. From where I'm sitting, adding a free, limited VPN to Firefox is only a win-win for Mozilla: The company gets points for boosting user privacy for free, and if those users are looking for more flexibility while preserving their internet anonymity, they can check out Mozilla's paid VPN option.

What else is coming to Firefox in the next update?

In its Tuesday post, Mozilla announced some other Firefox news in addition to its free VPN, including the following:

• Smart Window: This feature, previously called AI Window, uses AI to offer "quick help" while you browse, without actually leaving the page you're on. This help can include things like definitions, article summaries, and product comparisons. Mozilla says the feature is optional and opt-in, following the company's stance on opt-in-only AI features.

• Split view: This places two webpages side-by-side in the same window, following similar features in other browsers like Chrome.

• Tab notes: This feature lets you add notes to tabs, up to 1,000 characters. A note will stay attached to the webpage until you delete it, even if you close the tab.

• A new look: Firefox is teasing a "fresh new look," including updated themes, icons, toolbars, menu, and the homepage.

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