Google is the default search engine of a "privacy aware" browser. It uses Google Safe browsing which, from what I understand, is practically an embedded call home to Google for each new domain you visit. For quite a while they were using Google as the default location provider.

Pocket was an unnecessary acquisition that wasted money for an opt-out solution to... I don't even know what problem. The money spent on acquiring it could've gone into more developers, technical writers, testers, etc. Clickz (or however it's written) was also an unnecessary fail investment.

So pocket in no way detracts from your privacy. It's an very useful feature to many people. It's fine if you don't like it, but to use the privacy argument against it is incredibly disingenuous.

Edit: Also, you understand incorrectly about safe browsing. It does its checks locally.

I never claimed pocket detracted from privacy. I actually explained my problem with pocket... To add to that, it shouldn't be embedded in the browser. It's an extension and they have a marketplace for that.

And even if Safe Browsing does do what you say, the other google stuff still does and did exist.

> If Mozilla were serious about Firefox and privacy, they'd.. remove all the Pocket they unnecessarily shoved into Firefox

Even if you're backing down from that statement, why should it be an extension? why should they remove a popular feature and source of income just because you don't like it?

Yes Firefox will perform Google searches or location requests if you ask it to. It doesn't if you don't.