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Mozilla adds privacy mode to Firefox 3.1 plans
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#3
TeaEarleGreyHot 
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Posted 12 September 2008 - 06:40 AM
The reality of "pr0n" mode is that, yes, some adults visit such sites, on a shared computer without private log-in accounts, and responsibly do not want others to encounter it inadvertantly.
But there are many additional reasons people might want privacy, for example:
1. At work, on lunchbreak or after hours (assuming your company has a personal-use policy) you might be (a) researching medical conditions of yourself or your family, and it's really nobody else's business, and you sure don't want your employer thinking it's YOU who has cancer; (b) looking for a new job and don't want your supervisor to know, or for evidence of your visiting a competitor's website to remain on your PC; © reading a newspaper or political website or transacting on ebay, and don't want your private interests to barge in on work--how often has an URL been auto-filled in a compromising manner?; (d) you're buying Yankees tickets online, but your boss is a RedSox fan.
2. Sometimes benign-looking links or popups can take you to such adult sites when you really don't intend it. Maybe you even tried to close the window, but it was a disguised link, not a close-box. And now the offensive website auto-fills in your URL box as you type.
3. Libraries, where ANY sort of information should be available, without the risk of stigmatization. Whether it's information on "male enhancement" or how recreational drugs affect the brain, or how to groom a pooch. Such computers are often shared, and subsequent users might easily re-link to your bank or other recent sites.
4. Home life is a reality, and few people create multiple accounts so that each family member can have one. (a) Yet a teen might be curious about contraception, or the location of abortion clinics; (b) A grandparent may be shopping for gifts for a family member; © Adults might seek adult toys for purchase; (d) A college student might be seeking information on a political event/protest; (e) An 18 yr old might want to join the armed forces, but not distress their parents as they investigate the options, until a decision is made; (f) An adult might be web-chatting with an old flame, and not want to distress their spouse by a purely innocent conversation.
The list is endless. The point is that we ALL keep secrets. And while those secrets are often benign, they are still precious. Thank you Firefox for recognizing this basic truth.
And shame on Google and other anti-privacy efforts who disregard these basic concerns in the name of advertising.
But there are many additional reasons people might want privacy, for example:
1. At work, on lunchbreak or after hours (assuming your company has a personal-use policy) you might be (a) researching medical conditions of yourself or your family, and it's really nobody else's business, and you sure don't want your employer thinking it's YOU who has cancer; (b) looking for a new job and don't want your supervisor to know, or for evidence of your visiting a competitor's website to remain on your PC; © reading a newspaper or political website or transacting on ebay, and don't want your private interests to barge in on work--how often has an URL been auto-filled in a compromising manner?; (d) you're buying Yankees tickets online, but your boss is a RedSox fan.
2. Sometimes benign-looking links or popups can take you to such adult sites when you really don't intend it. Maybe you even tried to close the window, but it was a disguised link, not a close-box. And now the offensive website auto-fills in your URL box as you type.
3. Libraries, where ANY sort of information should be available, without the risk of stigmatization. Whether it's information on "male enhancement" or how recreational drugs affect the brain, or how to groom a pooch. Such computers are often shared, and subsequent users might easily re-link to your bank or other recent sites.
4. Home life is a reality, and few people create multiple accounts so that each family member can have one. (a) Yet a teen might be curious about contraception, or the location of abortion clinics; (b) A grandparent may be shopping for gifts for a family member; © Adults might seek adult toys for purchase; (d) A college student might be seeking information on a political event/protest; (e) An 18 yr old might want to join the armed forces, but not distress their parents as they investigate the options, until a decision is made; (f) An adult might be web-chatting with an old flame, and not want to distress their spouse by a purely innocent conversation.
The list is endless. The point is that we ALL keep secrets. And while those secrets are often benign, they are still precious. Thank you Firefox for recognizing this basic truth.
And shame on Google and other anti-privacy efforts who disregard these basic concerns in the name of advertising.
#4
whidbeyben
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Posted 12 September 2008 - 08:48 AM
Funny how this article glosses over the fact that Safari was the first major brrowser to have this feature- for over 3 years before this. Apple is always ahead of it's time.
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