As LGBTQIA+ communities continue to face increased digital surveillance, online harassment, and systemic discrimination, the simple act of browsing the internet can become fraught with risk. From anonymous self-discovery to public activism, queer individuals rely on digital spaces not just for entertainment or connection—but often for survival.

That’s exactly why Mozilla, the non-profit behind the Firefox browser, is leaning into its mission of digital agency and privacy, especially for vulnerable communities. Chatting with Gayety, Anthony Enzor-DeMeo, Senior Vice President of Firefox & Web at Mozilla, opens up on how the company is responding to online threats against LGBTQIA+ users, how its products are built for inclusion—not just intention—and why the fight for digital safety is inseparable from the fight for queer rights.

When Privacy Is More Than a Feature—It’s Protection

“The most urgent online threats facing LGBTQIA+ communities today are invasive tracking, misuse of personal data, and harassment,” Enzor-DeMeo says. “Firefox is built to protect private, unmonitored exploration, because when you’re questioning your identity or seeking support online, privacy shouldn’t be optional.”

That simple statement speaks volumes. For many LGBTQIA+ users, particularly youth or those not yet out to their families or employers, online privacy isn’t a luxury—it’s lifesaving. Yet most major websites routinely collect data, track browsing habits, and sell user profiles to advertisers, often without fully informing the user.

Firefox counters this norm with features like Enhanced Tracking Protection and Total Cookie Protection, both enabled by default. These tools block third-party trackers and prevent advertisers from following users across websites, making it far harder for companies—or bad actors—to build a behavioral profile without consent.

When Data Can Be Weaponized

“Chats, photos, search history, and site visits can be exposed without consent,” Enzor-DeMeo adds, citing the disproportionate risk of doxxing and targeted harassment that queer users face online.

A recent report from GLAAD found that 66% of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced online harassment, more than any other demographic. The threats range from slurs and intimidation to full-blown doxxing—where someone’s personal details like home address or phone number are maliciously posted online.

Firefox’s privacy-first design addresses this through features like Private Browsing Mode, which automatically clears history after use, and a built-in password manager to help prevent account hacks.

For deeper protection, Mozilla offers services like Mozilla VPN to shield your IP address and Firefox Relay, which lets users create email and phone number aliases—keeping their real contact info hidden from prying eyes.

Tips for Staying Safe Right Now

So what can LGBTQIA+ users do today to safeguard their digital lives?

Enzor-DeMeo offers clear, practical advice:

  • Use unique, strong passwords for every account and enable two-factor authentication.

  • Limit mobile app tracking. On iPhones, toggle “Ask App Not to Track,” and on Android, delete your Advertising ID in settings.

  • Remove personal data from people search sites. Mozilla Monitor is one service that scans for your exposed information and automates the takedown process.

These actions are often the first line of defense in an increasingly hostile digital landscape.

Respecting Privacy While Building the Future

Balancing privacy and innovation isn’t always easy—especially in an era dominated by cloud computing, personalized AI tools, and ever-expanding user data pipelines.

“At Mozilla, we believe privacy and security aren’t optional—they’re fundamental,” Enzor-DeMeo says. “Some features—like syncing bookmarks or history across devices—do require server support, but we design them so even Mozilla can’t see what you’re doing.”

Transparency is baked into the company’s ethos. Mozilla’s data practices are publicly documented, and Firefox is fully open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code. That level of visibility is rare—and critical.

The team is also experimenting with cloud-based AI features, but all are optional and designed to preserve user control. “You stay in control of what you use, and what you share,” Enzor-DeMeo emphasizes.

Designing for Everyone, Not Just the Majority

One powerful analogy shared by Enzor-DeMeo underscores Mozilla’s design philosophy: “Assuming every user is straight is like designing a product only for right-handed people.”

It’s a simple but pointed reminder of how easily tech can fall into heteronormative patterns unless queerness is actively considered in the design process.

“We design Firefox for everyone—regardless of identity, background, or how they show up online,” Enzor-DeMeo explains. “That means being thoughtful about the language we use, the privacy defaults we set, and how we support people navigating deeply personal spaces on the internet.”

Central to that mission is building diverse teams. “When you bring together different perspectives and backgrounds, you’re able to create better products that serve many, rather than just a few,” he says.

Inclusion Without Stereotypes

When asked how Mozilla avoids the trap of superficial inclusion or token representation, Enzor-DeMeo is clear: “We focus on designing for needs, not identities.”

In other words, the team starts by asking what users are trying to accomplish—whether it’s researching hormone therapy, finding a safe community, or simply watching a queer film without being targeted by advertisers. Then, they build tools to support those needs with dignity and care.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, protected, and in control of their online experience—whether they’re exploring something personal, managing multiple parts of their life, or just trying to avoid being tracked across the web.”

What Tech Leaders Can Learn from Mozilla

As the tech industry grapples with mounting pressure to be more inclusive and user-focused, Enzor-DeMeo has advice for others in leadership roles:

“Surround yourself with people who are different from you. Some of the most thoughtful, useful products come from having a range of perspectives at the table—people who bring different lived experiences, identities, and ways of thinking.”

Inclusion, he notes, isn’t just the ethical choice—it’s a competitive advantage.

Queer Futures Require Safe Digital Spaces

From laws targeting trans youth to algorithms suppressing queer content, the internet is increasingly a frontline in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights. Companies like Mozilla—and products like Firefox—are proving that ethical tech is possible. But it requires intention, transparency, and a fierce commitment to those most at risk.

“At Mozilla, we want people to feel empowered, not exposed,” Enzor-DeMeo says. “And for some, that control isn’t a luxury—it’s essential.”