Trust – Get this Extension for Firefox (en-US)

Overview

Trust is the foundation of every meaningful interaction on the web — from personal communications to e-commerce and public services. This document explains how a privacy- and usability-first Firefox extension can reinforce user trust, practical design considerations, and the steps required to responsibly deliver and maintain that extension.

Why Trust Matters

Human and technical dimensions

Trust involves both human psychology and technical assurances. Users ask two core questions before they place trust in software: "Can I rely on it?" and "Can I understand it?" Reliability is a matter of correct, consistent functionality and well-maintained security. Understandability is about transparent choices, clear language, and predictable defaults.

Consequences of lost trust

When users lose trust they leave. Abandoned accounts, reversed purchases, and negative word-of-mouth harm both short- and long-term success. For browser extensions specifically, misuse of permissions, opaque data handling, or bad UX quickly erode confidence.

How the Extension Builds Trust

Clear permissions & least privilege

Adopt the principle of least privilege: request only the permissions necessary to provide features. Provide in-context explanations whenever a permission is requested so users understand the "why" before granting access.

Readable privacy policy and changelog

Publish a short, plain-language privacy notice with bullet points summarizing what the extension collects (if anything), how data is stored, and whether anything is shared. Maintain a human-readable changelog so users can track improvements and fixes.

Feature toggles & local-first design

Offer on/off toggles for features that touch sensitive data. Favor local-first storage — keep data on the user's device wherever possible, and clearly explain any optional syncing behavior.

Design Principles (Practical)

Transparency

Show the user exactly what the extension is doing and why. Use concise notifications, not cryptic alerts. Where possible, display an audit trail or activity log the user can inspect.

Minimal surprise

Design interactions so they match user expectations. Avoid automatic actions that can’t be easily reversed. Provide immediate, undoable controls for changes the extension performs.

Security hygiene

Sign releases, use secure update channels, and make the source code auditable — ideally open-source. Regularly run automated security scans and respond to reported vulnerabilities quickly.

Accessibility and inclusivity

Make the extension usable by people who rely on assistive technologies. Provide keyboard navigation, good contrast, and clear labels. Accessible design is trust-building design.

Deployment & Maintenance

Distribution through official channels

Distribute via the Firefox Add-ons Marketplace and keep the listing up to date with screenshots, permissions details, and a helpful description. Being present on official channels provides a layer of institutional trust.

Communications & support

Offer an easy, public way to report bugs or ask questions. Respond promptly and keep the community informed about fixes. People trust teams that communicate clearly and visibly.

Metrics to monitor

Track adoption, active users, crash rates, and user feedback trends (ratings and reviews). Use metrics to prioritize improvements that materially affect trust.

Call to Action

Install, test, and share feedback

If you care about reliable, privacy-respecting browsing, try the extension, inspect its settings, and share your experience. Developers should welcome feedback, triage issues, and publish roadmap updates to keep a two-way trust relationship alive.