Mozilla updates add-on policies on AMO and lifts restrictions on closed group extensions

Mozilla has announced a significant update to its add-on policies, set to take effect on August 4, 2025. This policy overhaul introduces expanded options for extension developers, most notably by lifting the prohibition on closed group extensions. As a result, developers can now publish restricted access add-ons via AMO (addons.mozilla.org) for internal or private user groups, increasing flexibility for varied use cases.

In line with efforts to reduce publishing friction, Mozilla will no longer require developers to host privacy policies directly on AMO. Instead, developers can provide links to their own self-hosted privacy policies, streamlining the submission process. Following this shift, Mozilla has also clarified and updated terminology in their policies to enhance understanding of user data consent and control for both developers and users.

Additionally, the policy update further clarifies acceptable uses for the userScripts API and provides more detailed guidelines for source code submission. These adjustments collectively seek to balance developer flexibility with a transparent, user-focused approach to add-on distribution.