Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the discontinuation of the Firefox browser's operations in China, highlighting the implications for users and the operational challenges faced by the local subsidiary, Beijing Mozhi Firefox Information Technology Co., Ltd. [1][2][4] Group 1: Discontinuation Announcement - Firefox's Chinese version will cease operations, with the official termination date set for September 29. The local website will stop providing downloads and account services, and user data linked to "Firefox Pass" will be permanently deleted [1][8]. - Users are concerned about the fate of their account data, including bookmarks and passwords, accumulated over years of usage [1][7]. Group 2: Company Background and Challenges - Beijing Mozhi, the local operator, has faced significant financial difficulties, with a total of 36 million yuan in court-enforced executions this year [2][6]. - The company has seen a drastic reduction in employee numbers, from 30 in 2016 to 16 in 2024, indicating operational decline [6]. Group 3: User Experience and Data Isolation - The Chinese version of Firefox has been criticized for its lack of integration with the international version, leading to data isolation and user frustration [7][10]. - Users have expressed anxiety over the technical nature of the data backup instructions provided by Firefox, leading many to consider switching to other browsers like Edge [7][13]. Group 4: Localized Operations and Market Position - The localized version of Firefox has struggled with operational issues, including legal challenges related to ad-blocking features, which have led to the removal of popular plugins [11][12]. - Firefox's global market share has plummeted from over 30% in 2008 to less than 3% in recent years, reflecting a broader trend of user attrition [14].

Core Points - The core announcement is that the domestic version of Firefox in China will cease operations, with the official termination date set for September 29, 2023, and the local website no longer providing downloads or services [1][2][3] - Users are particularly concerned about the fate of their account data, as the local "Firefox Pass" accounts will be deleted, and there is anxiety over how to back up and migrate their stored information [6][7] Company Situation - The local operating company, Beijing Mouzhi Firefox Information Technology Co., Ltd., has faced significant financial difficulties, including multiple court-enforced executions totaling 36 million yuan [2][5] - The company has seen a drastic reduction in employee numbers, from 30 in 2016 to just 16 in 2024, indicating a decline in operational capacity [5] - The company has been involved in legal disputes related to advertising practices, which have further complicated its operational status [10][11] User Concerns - Many long-term users express frustration over the inability to transfer their data easily, as the local version of Firefox has a separate account system that does not sync with the international version [6][9] - Users have reported that the technical nature of the backup instructions provided by Firefox is not user-friendly, leading some to consider switching to other browsers like Edge for easier data migration [7][13] Market Context - Firefox's global market share has plummeted from over 30% in 2008 to less than 3% in recent years, primarily due to the rise of competitors like Google Chrome [14][15] - The localized version of Firefox has been criticized for its heavy advertising and poor user experience compared to the international version, leading to a loss of user interest [12][13] Future Outlook - As of now, it remains unclear whether Mozilla will directly manage operations in China or if a third party will take over after the local version's shutdown [15]