Mozilla will no longer accept crypto donations after criticism
Mozilla will investigate how cryptocurrency donations fit in with the company’s climate goals. As long as the investigation is ongoing, the organization will no longer accept these donations. The organization came under fire for the past week for its crypto policy.
This investigation will be transparent, promises the organization† Mozilla says it often shares updates. The investigation follows a Mozilla tweet on New Years Eve in which the organization highlighted the ability to donate in cryptocurrencies. This has been possible with bitcoin since 2014.
Although it was not a new decision, the promotion could count on a lot of criticism. Like this reacted founder Jamie Zawinski that anyone involved in the crypto donation project “should be ashamed of this decision to partner with Ponzi scammers who are burning the world.” By this Zawinski was referring to the environmental impact that cryptocurrency like bitcoin would have according to research.
Peter Linss, developer of the Gecko engine that uses Firefox, Zawinski joined and says Mozilla “should have been better than this.” April King, a developer who allegedly took care of Mozilla’s security for five years, is disappointed too† Zawinski, Linss and King are no longer involved with Mozilla.
Mozilla said Thursday, while pausing crypto donations, that decentralized technologies remain important to the organization, “but a lot has changed since we started accepting crypto donations.” The organization also called the discussion that has arisen important.
In a response to The Verge, Linss says he is happy that Mozilla no longer accepts crypto donations for the time being. “Mozilla plays a vital role in keeping the internet open and free. I am also grateful for all the support from Mozilla fans.” Zawinski also says he is happy that Mozilla no longer accepts the donations and hopes that Mozilla eventually decides not to accept the crypto donations.