Firefox will block certain extensions if developer does not provide source code

Mozilla will block Firefox extensions if they use confusing or unclear code. Add-ons with minified, concatenation, or machine-generated code are still allowed, provided the developer includes the source code. These changes will take effect on June 10.

Mozilla will announce the changes in a blog post. With the new terms, the browser builder wants to make add-ons ‘safer’ for Firefox users. If developers still use obfuscated code for their extensions, they must provide a new version of their extension that contains the correct code before June 10. Otherwise, the add-on will be blocked. Obfuscated code is code that has been intentionally made difficult to read by the programmer.

Mozilla also says to clarify the add-on blocking process. Extensions that violate the company’s terms are more actively blocked, according to Mozilla. If the company is in doubt whether an add-on violates the terms or not, the company will choose the option that is best for the safety of the user.

Extensions that abuse user privacy or attempt to circumvent user consent are also blocked. When an extension or add-on is blocked, it will no longer work on a user’s computer, even if it was already installed.