Mozilla releases content blocker for iOS

Mozilla has released an app for iOS devices that allows users to block various trackers and thus ads. There is also an option to disable web fonts, which should improve performance.

The app, called Focus by Firefox, blocks the same trackers that are also blocked when using a Private Window in Firefox for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. Mozilla uses Disconnect’s open source blocklist for this. Mozilla says it wants to give users control over their privacy with the app. Users can choose to block trackers from advertising, analytics and social networks. It is also possible to block web fonts on websites; that should provide better performance on mobile devices.

Although the app is called Focus by Firefox, the content blocker cannot yet be used in combination with the iOS version of Firefox. Mozilla emphasizes that this is not their choice, but that it is because of the restrictions imposed by Apple. For now, content blockers only work in Apple’s own browser Safari. Mozilla says it is looking into bringing the feature to Firefox for iOS and promises to provide support as soon as possible. However, it’s unclear whether Apple plans to give third-party browser makers the freedom to add content blockers.

The Mozilla app is free to download and, according to the makers, has no revenue model. Focus by Firefox works on all Apple devices that have a 64-bit soc and are running iOS 9 or newer. In that version of the mobile operating system, Apple introduced support for apps that can block content.