Mozilla is developing a new feature for the desktop version of Firefox that allows users to lock private browsing windows. This mechanism is designed to prevent unauthorized access to browsing sessions when a computer is left unattended.
The browser will automatically lock private windows when the operating system enters sleep mode, activates a screen saver, or when the user logs out. To regain access, users must complete system-level authentication, such as using a PIN, password, Touch ID, or Face ID.
This update addresses a security gap where private sessions remain visible if a user forgets to close the window. While similar functionality already exists for the Android version of Firefox and Apple's Safari on macOS, this feature would make Firefox the first mainstream browser to offer native private window locking on Windows.
Currently, other major browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera require third-party extensions to implement similar privacy protections. Mozilla's implementation aims to provide a native solution that integrates directly with system security protocols.
