A Mozilla spokesperson explained, “In keeping with our commitment to an open and accessible Internet, Mozilla will restore pages that were previously restricted in Russia. Our initial decision to restrict access was made while we were assessing the legislative landscape in Russia and the possible risks for our community and our employees.”

Mozilla weighed the necessity of complying with local laws against its fundamental belief in an open internet. According to its spokesperson, Mozilla had to decide whether to comply with local legislation, which would go against its principles, or risk having its services blocked in Russia. Ultimately, it chose to prioritize its core values.

“By reinstating these add-ons, we reaffirm our dedication to openness and accessibility, ensuring that the internet remains a public resource accessible to everyone, regardless of geographical location,” stated the spokesperson.