Mozilla is shutting down its Fakespot Deep Fake Detector extension, effective June 26, 2025. This add-on, designed to help users identify whether content was produced by humans or generated by AI, will cease to function after only modest traction with around 3,000 active users. The decision follows the discontinuation of the main Fakespot AI-powered review checker, signifying a declining interest in tools aimed at improving online authenticity.
Despite its reliance on various open-source models, which provided a level of effectiveness that proprietary solutions typically lack, the Deep Fake Detector will not be greatly missed. There was an attempt by the company hCaptcha to acquire Fakespot and run it as a public service, but Mozilla ignored this offer.
Mozilla’s plan to pivot towards AI integration raises concerns, especially considering the simultaneous discontinuation of useful tools like Deep Fake Detector and its own privacy-centric assistant, Orbit. While Mozilla claims this pivot is to align with modern needs and secure Firefox’s future, critics argue that it appears more like a shift toward accommodating AI companies for financial gain rather than enhancing user experience.
The introduction of AI features like a chatbot sidebar in Firefox is seen by some as a manipulative marketing strategy rather than a meaningful upgrade. For users, this integration can feel intrusive, as it triggers prompts that encourage the use of AI tools, which in turn could lead Mozilla to seek financial partnerships with AI service creators.
The removal of tools designed to differentiate human content from AI-generated material shows a concerning shift in Mozilla’s priorities. Critics suggest this indicates that Mozilla is aligning more with AI corporations, compromising its original mission of championing a free and open web. By phasing out tools that support human-generated content, the company risks further contributing to a web increasingly filled with AI-generated material, which could ultimately harm both users and the integrity of the Firefox platform itself.
Learn more about the Fakespot Deep Fake Detector here.
For insights on Mozilla’s pivot to AI, follow this link.