Mozilla today launched a new app called "Firefox Focus," which automatically blocks advertisements as well as online trackers. The company said that due to the new app's removal of heavy ads and tracking software by other companies, "web pages may require less data and load faster."

The privacy-focused web browser also comes with an easily accessible "Erase" button at the top of the app, which users can tap and erase all browsing history, searches, cookies, and passwords instantly.

firefox-focus-image
Firefox Focus also offers extensive customizable browsing options, with the ability to disable a website's custom font, and users can choose to load a page in another browser -- Firefox or Safari -- if they're willing to leave the security of Firefox Focus.

Browse like no one’s watching. The new Firefox Focus automatically blocks a wide range of online trackers — from the moment you launch it to the second you leave it. Easily erase your history, passwords and cookies, so you won’t get followed by things like unwanted ads.

“Private browsing” on most browsers isn’t comprehensive or easy to use. Focus is next-level privacy that’s free, always on and always on your side — because it’s backed by Mozilla, the non-profit that fights for your rights on the Web.

The app is otherwise simplified, with a single search bar greeting users when they open it, and only one tab available to view at a time. The settings of the app also include an additional layer of security to block other content trackers, but Mozilla warns that toggling it on "may break some videos and web pages."

Firefox Focus is available to download from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

DavidTheExpert Avatar
118 months ago
Thought it had been out for ages. Wasn't it released a year ago?
They released Firefox for iOS a while ago. This is apparently a more simplified browser with a focus on privacy. aka your new mobile porn browser.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
freediverx Avatar
118 months ago
Why would a browser ostensibly focused on privacy use Yahoo as its default search engine, and without the option to select an alternative?

Yahoo Secretly Scanned Millions of Customer Emails for U.S. Authorities
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/10/05/yahoo-scanned-millions-customer-emails/

Delete Your Yahoo Account
https://theintercept.com/2016/10/04/delete-your-yahoo-account/
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WaxedJacket Avatar
118 months ago
I think the next big milestone in web development will be to get rid of ads all together and form a different revenue stream for sites. This would change the way newspapers write their clickbate articles just to get eyes to their site. I'm not about to claim I have the answer but I imagine it would be a patreon style system. Face it, nobody wants ads but it's a demon the entertainment/media world can't do without right now.

Sorry for the tangent
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samden Avatar
118 months ago
They released Firefox for iOS a while ago. This is apparently a more simplified browser with a focus on privacy. aka your new mobile porn browser.
User mkeeley was right, it came out about a year ago (I've been using it) but until now it was only an ad blocker for Safari. Now it has a little browser built into the app. This is a very misleading article since the app itself is not new, but the browser within is.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shaunymac Avatar
118 months ago
I'll be checking this out! I like the simplicity and that iPad Mini of mine could use a speed boost if possible!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mkeeley Avatar
118 months ago
Thought it had been out for ages. Wasn't it released a year ago?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)