at addons.mozilla.org isn't blocking analytics

[fyfgrgtg]

Prerequisites

• I verified that this is not a filter issue (MUST be reported at filter issue tracker)
• This is not a support issue or a question
• I performed a cursory search of the issue tracker to avoid opening a duplicate issue
• The issue is not present after wholly disabling uBlock Origin ("uBO") in the browser
• I checked the documentation to understand that the issue I report is not a normal behavior

I tried to reproduce the issue when...

• uBO is the only extension
• uBO with default lists/settings
• using a new, unmodified browser profile

Description

at addons.mozilla.org is not blocking analytics. is it possible to block it?

A specific URL where the issue occurs

addons.mozilla.org

Steps to Reproduce

idk

Expected behavior

idk

Actual behavior

idk

uBlock Origin version

1.42.0

Browser name and version

Firefox 98.0.2

Operating System and version

Windows 10

[gorhill]

addons.mozilla.org is a privileged site.

Always send “Do Not Track” signal, enable Firefox built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection (strict), or configure at your own risk with about: config as described in the wiki.

[bf]

Good find.

Even in 2025 Firefox is sending Google Analytics tracking cookies for some extensions from within about:addons because Firefox tries to load the extension image file from addons.mozilla.org (e.g. extension "Tree Style Tab" at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tree-style-tab/ ).

The privileged domain addons.mozilla.org runs google analytics and even if you delete the cookies using the Firefox UI it will re-add the cookies on tab close action.

This is a very dark pattern of Firefox that can catch off-guard even long-time Ublock Origin users.

Going to about:config and setting extensions.webextensions.restrictedDomains to empty string lets ublock origin run on addons.mozilla.org and then you can delete the cookies on addons.mozilla.org without them being re-set on tab close.

In the about:addons page the HTTP request for the extension image file is still sent to addons.mozilla.org every time you open about:addons, and according to HTTP headers the addons.mozilla.org is directly integrated with Google. However, no more cookies are sent, only your IP address is tracked by Mozilla/Google.