Mozilla launches Firefox Send, a free self-destructing file-sharing service

Mozilla’s latest service might make you feel like a secret spy.

The nonprofit behind the popular open-source Firefox web browser has launched its new encrypted self-destructing file-sharing platform, Firefox Send. Mozilla’s latest offering has been in beta since 2017. It officially launched on Tuesday.

Firefox Send allows users to send up to 1GB of files for free. Users can have their file size capacity bumped up to 2.5GB if they signup for a free Firefox account. Unlike other file hosting services, there is currently no paid options.

Files on Firefox Send are ephemeral. Each file link is set to expire after a certain amount of time or number of downloads.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

To use Firefox Send, a user simply goes to the website and uploads whatever file they’d like to share right on the main page. Unless a user wants to take advantage of the extra storage space from having a Firefox account, no login is required. There are no pop-ups or advertisements, like those often found on other file uploading websites, weighing the service down either.

Once a file is uploaded, users can choose to have the download link expire in as little as 5 minutes or after one download. Firefox Send currently allows links to remain for as long as 7 days or 100 downloads. Currently, the service forces users to pick both a timeframe and a download limit and the file link will expire after whichever comes first.

Users are also given the option to password-protect their private file link. After that is set, an encrypted file link is provided for easy sharing.

A secure private file-sharing service is actually a logical step for the tech nonprofit. Mozilla has become more and more of a major privacy advocate over the years. The organization has put companies like Facebook on the spot for its bad data practices. Through its Firefox web browser, it has rolled out important privacy features to help protect its users.

According to Mozilla, a beta version of a Firefox Send for Android app will be available later this week.