Mozilla, the software developer best known for its Firefox web browser, says it will shut down two online services that helped people archive portions of the Internet and spot misinformation.
Starting July 1, Mozilla says it will no longer support the plug-in Fakespot, which alerted online shoppers to false reviews posted on e-commerce websites like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and Target. Mozilla will also stop supporting Review Checker, a feature derived from Fakespot that was embedded within Firefox.
One week later, Mozilla will shut down Pocket, an app that allowed web surfers to archive portions of the Internet into their own digital shoebox. The Pocket app is already being removed from the Apple and Google app stores. Users will have until October to download an archive of their data and saved articles.
Mozilla acquired Pocket in 2017 and Fakespot in 2023. Executives said the acquisitions were meant to bring trust to the open Internet and foster a healthier online experience. Pocket also allowed Mozilla to help users of Firefox and other programs find superior content created by independent writers and journalists.
On Thursday, Mozilla said Fakespot “resonated” with executives three years ago, but “didn’t fit a model we could sustain.” Pocket “helped shape the curated content recommendations you already see in Firefox,” and some elements of Pocket will continue on after the app closes — they’ll just be exclusive to Firefox, rather than available to the broader web community through a standalone app.
“We’re grateful to the communities that made Pocket and Fakespot meaningful,” a Mozilla spokesperson said in a statement. “As we wind them down, we’re looking ahead to focusing on new Firefox features that people need most. This shift allows us to shape the next era of the internet – with tools like vertical tabs, smart search and more AI-powered features on the way.”
