> experimenting with in-app ads as potential revenue stream.
Not sure why you're getting downvoted. It's a conversation that's important to have. It's not unlike the Mozilla/Mr.Robot fiasco[0].
Yesterday (and related), I suddenly had a Mozilla extension automatically install on a Windows laptop I use very sparingly. I didn't take any screenshots but it's detailed on this medium article I just turned up: https://medium.com/@neothefox/firefox-installs-add-ons-into-...
Essentially, after I killed the main extension, another one displayed that wanted to make suggestions for extensions... based on extensions I am already using. It disappeared before I had a chance to finish my research on it. It was odd, in a backhanded sort of way.
I had all telemetry previously turned off (but the extension indicated that the install was based on my telemetry preferences), my workflow was interrupted, research I was forced to conduct about what was happening, etc...
I can see Mozilla treading carefully here by focusing on a product that aligns with a single entry of their mission statement (principle 4: Mozilla Manifesto[1]). But... it's clear that Mozilla is heading in a direction, ever so slowly, that will make their (current) core users question their commitment to one of their ten core principles. tbh, the other nine principles sounds like they're running for office...
[0] https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/16/16784628/mozilla-mr-robo...
[1] https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/manifesto/