Despite significant criticism and a year-long controversy, Mozilla continues to promote and partner with OneRep, a paid service that removes personal information from data broker sites. Security expert Brian Krebs reiterates his concerns that OneRep's business model is inherently flawed and potentially harmful. He argues that OneRep benefits from the very data brokers it claims to fight, creating a conflict of interest. Further, he highlights the risk that OneRep, by collecting sensitive user data, could become a valuable target for hackers or even sell the data itself. Krebs questions Mozilla's continued endorsement of OneRep given these ongoing concerns and the lack of transparency around their partnership.
Approximately one year subsequent to the initial emergence of controversy surrounding Mozilla's endorsement of the online reputation management (ORM) service OneRep, investigative security journalist Brian Krebs has revisited the issue in a detailed blog post published on February 24, 2025, on KrebsOnSecurity. Mr. Krebs meticulously outlines how Mozilla continues to feature OneRep prominently within its Firefox web browser's privacy add-on recommendations, despite ongoing concerns regarding the efficacy and ethical implications of the service.
The core of the sustained criticism, as extensively elucidated by Krebs, stems from OneRep's business model, which involves charging users a recurring fee to scrub their personal information from various data broker websites. While this service ostensibly empowers individuals to reclaim control over their online presence, skeptics argue that its impact is negligible, given the constant influx of new data onto these platforms. Essentially, the concern revolves around the perception that OneRep provides a fleeting and ultimately illusory sense of privacy, while simultaneously profiting from user anxieties surrounding online data exposure.
Krebs underscores the potential conflict of interest inherent in Mozilla's continued promotion of a paid service addressing a problem that is arguably exacerbated by the very data ecosystem the internet, and by extension Firefox, facilitates. He highlights the seeming paradox of a privacy-focused organization endorsing a for-profit solution that may offer limited practical benefits.
Further adding to the complexity of the situation is the relative opacity surrounding OneRep's operational methodologies. Krebs notes the lack of transparency regarding the specific techniques employed by the company to remove user data, raising questions about the long-term effectiveness and potential unintended consequences of such interventions.
In essence, Krebs's updated report serves as a sustained critique of Mozilla's ongoing affiliation with OneRep, meticulously detailing the persistent concerns about the service's value proposition, ethical considerations, and the potential incongruity with Mozilla's purported commitment to user privacy. The article implies that Mozilla's continued promotion of OneRep, despite the previously raised concerns, warrants further scrutiny and potentially a reevaluation of the partnership.
Summary of Comments ( 1 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43052262
Hacker News users discuss Mozilla's continued promotion of OneRep, a paid service that removes personal information from data broker sites. Several commenters express skepticism about OneRep's effectiveness and long-term value, suggesting it's a recurring cost for a problem that requires constant vigilance. Some propose alternative solutions like Firefox's built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection or opting out of data broker sites individually, arguing these are more sustainable and potentially free. Others question Mozilla's motives for promoting a paid service, suggesting potential conflicts of interest or a decline in their commitment to user privacy. A few commenters defend OneRep, citing positive experiences or emphasizing the convenience it offers. The overall sentiment leans towards distrust of OneRep and disappointment in Mozilla's endorsement.
The Hacker News post titled "Nearly a Year Later, Mozilla Is Still Promoting OneRep" generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a number of commenters expressing concerns about Mozilla's continued partnership with OneRep, a data removal service.
Several commenters questioned the efficacy and trustworthiness of OneRep, citing personal experiences or skepticism about the service's business model. One user described OneRep as a "band-aid" solution that doesn't address the root causes of online data exposure. Another commenter expressed doubt about OneRep's ability to effectively remove data from the internet, suggesting that it might primarily focus on removing data from easily accessible sources while leaving more deeply embedded information untouched. A recurring theme in these critical comments is the suspicion that OneRep might be profiting from the ongoing problem of data proliferation rather than truly solving it.
Some users shared alternative strategies for managing online presence and protecting privacy, such as using privacy-focused search engines, opting out of data broker services, and exercising greater caution when sharing personal information online. These comments generally framed OneRep as an insufficient or potentially misleading solution compared to more proactive approaches.
At least one commenter pushed back against the negative sentiment, arguing that OneRep could be a valuable tool for individuals who lack the technical expertise or time to manage their online presence effectively. This comment suggested that while OneRep might not be a perfect solution, it can still serve a useful purpose for some users.
Another point of discussion centered around Mozilla's motivations for promoting OneRep. Some commenters speculated that Mozilla might be receiving financial compensation for the partnership, while others suggested that Mozilla might genuinely believe in the value of the service. This discussion highlighted the tension between Mozilla's non-profit status and its potential financial incentives.
Finally, a few commenters questioned the relevance of the original KrebsOnSecurity article, pointing out that Mozilla's promotion of OneRep was not a new development. This suggests that the Hacker News discussion was partly driven by a misunderstanding of the timeframe involved.