How to delete your Mozilla account

About deleting your Mozilla account

Mozilla is the non-profit organization behind the Firefox web browser and a suite of privacy-focused services including Firefox Monitor, Pocket, and Mozilla VPN. When you create a Mozilla account, you are effectively syncing your browsing experience across devices, which involves the cloud storage of sensitive data like bookmarks, passwords, history, and extension settings.

Users may choose to delete their Mozilla account for several reasons related to their digital footprint. As Mozilla expands into a broader ecosystem of identity services, some users may wish to purge their synchronized data to minimize the amount of information stored on Mozilla's servers, especially after migrating to alternative browsers or seeking a clean slate for their online identity.

Key reasons to consider account deletion include:

• Removing synchronized browser data from Mozilla’s cloud infrastructure.
• Discontinuing the use of Firefox Sync to prevent data redundancy.
• Closing secondary accounts associated with specific services like Pocket or Firefox Monitor.
• Reducing the number of online profiles held by third-party organizations.

What happens to your data

When you delete your Mozilla account, the primary action is the permanent removal of your synchronized account data from Mozilla’s servers. This data typically includes your bookmarks, open tabs, saved passwords (if using Firefox Lockwise/built-in password manager), and history across all devices where you are logged in.

Mozilla generally distinguishes between account data—which is stored on their servers to facilitate sync—and telemetry data, which is sent to Mozilla to improve browser performance. While account deletion clears your synchronized profile, you should also clear local browsing data within your browser settings to ensure a complete wipe.

Data categories impacted by deletion:

• Firefox Sync data (bookmarks, history, passwords, and form autofill).
• Add-on configurations and settings synced to your profile.
• Subscription data for services like Mozilla VPN or Pocket.
• Authentication tokens used to access other Mozilla-connected platforms.

Privacy considerations

Mozilla positions itself as a privacy-first entity; however, maintaining an account still requires a level of trust in their data handling practices. Mozilla collects telemetry to understand how the browser is used, and while this data is often anonymized, it remains a point of concern for users seeking absolute privacy. Disconnecting your account prevents Mozilla from associating this usage data with a specific identity, effectively siloed to your local machine.

Privacy tips for Firefox users:

• Disable telemetry in Firefox settings under the Privacy & Security panel if you prefer not to share usage statistics.
• Use the 'Forget' button for individual sites to clear specific cache and cookies without wiping your entire profile.
• Review your Firefox Account settings periodically to see which services (like Pocket) have linked permissions.
• Use local-only browsing if you prefer to avoid the cloud synchronization features entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting my Mozilla account remove my browser history from my computer?

No, deleting your account only removes the synchronized history from Mozilla's servers. You must manually clear your local browser history within Firefox settings to remove it from your specific device.

Will deleting my account cancel my Mozilla VPN subscription?

Yes, closing your account will trigger the cancellation of associated subscriptions, including Mozilla VPN, as the account serves as the authentication layer for these services.

Can I recover my bookmarks after deleting my account?

Once the account is deleted, the data synced to the cloud is permanently purged and cannot be recovered by Mozilla support.

Does deleting my account delete my saved passwords?

Yes, if you used Firefox's built-in sync feature to store your passwords, those will be removed from the cloud servers upon account deletion.

How long does it take for my data to be wiped after deletion?

Mozilla typically processes the request immediately, ensuring your cloud-synced profile data is rendered inaccessible or deleted from their infrastructure in real-time.

Do I need to delete my account to stop tracking by websites?

No, account deletion only stops Mozilla from syncing your data. To prevent website tracking, you should adjust your Firefox 'Enhanced Tracking Protection' settings or use extensions like uBlock Origin.