Private tab instead of window

[KMFi]

Functionality to open a tab for privat browsing within a normal window. For when you just need to do something in private mode, but don't won't to open a new window.

Private window, should still be an option.

[Vulpes_Ignis]

If you consider human factors and usability, I must say that mixing private and normal tabs in the same window is a bad idea, unless it were to be implemented with some sort of drastic colour change or tedious warning every time the private/non-private active tab state switches...

[crex]

There used to be a popular add-on for Firefox which added private tabs: https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-us/firefox/addon/private-tab/. But unfortunately, with the move to web extensions, this add-on no longer works. There was an attempt at porting the add-on, but necessary APIs for private containers or tabs are missing (to this day). (See also https://github.com/Infocatcher/Private_Tab_WE#issues.)

The "Temporary Containers" add-on faces the same issue and as such gives you the warning before activating "Delete History": "[...]if you visited the same website URL in another Container, Temporary Container or in the Default Container before or while visiting it in a 'Deletes History Temporary Container' then those visits will get deleted from history too."

Why private tabs in addition to private windows? The reason we have tabs in the first place, is, so we don't have to switch between windows all the time. Tabs are easily accessible. If your browsing style includes often browsing in private mode and in non-private mode in parallel, then having to constantly switch windows is a hassle. I do this, because I like to keep a browsing history, but i also want a lot of e.g. trivial googling not to be included in it.

Tabs could easily show their status of being private or not with a symbol, or with a theme change (as is even done by default in private windows), so it really wouldn't be difficult to distinguish if a tab is private or not. If anything, adding an API so extensions can properly bring that functionality would be great.

[Anonymous]

@Vulpes_Ignis 

I agree if private tabs will be made, they will should be a very visually distinguished otherwise i think it would be better to not add such a feature, since the possibility of human errors (entering something into a non-private tab when he/she doesnt want it)  could be to high.

[Eeeee]

I just ran into this bug today:

It really made me feel the convenience of the idea, and the need for improvement.

[Simonito]

A partial solution to this would be https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/temporary-containers/

[FernandoMMuniz]

This idea is great, but i think the private tabs must have a corner dedicated to them, otherwise it would be easy to accidentally use a normal tab when you meant to use the private one.

But i'm sure there's hundreds of better ways to circumvent that issue.

[Synchro]

I really like this idea. At first I thought it may be impossible to embody it because of some engine limitations, but then I found Waterfox, where this feature is on by default. I still prefer to have it in Firefox though.

UPD: Now I think Waterfox do it through containers, so I can't say if this is the same as private tabs.

[Sarmathi_K]

Hi Developers,

Why have we not added the incognito tab to Firebox? We protect spam advertisements while using many social apps because of our search engines. Customers can gain more trust by using Incognito mode to research what they want in the Firebox browser.

 #Incongnitotab #Privacy #Newtab

[DonaldReagan]

Hey @Jon Any updates from the development team regarding this fantastic feature request?

[Jon]

(Note: similar ideas have been merged into this thread)

[okay_okay]

This would be nice, especially if we could customize color of the private tabs.

[NJK0]

Good idea, but then by default it must have a timeout before it auto-closes itself, otherwise you risk forgetting about it and then it could get exposed to someone.

[MDK-MKII]

"Private Tab" option in context menu.

I'd like to see a context menu option to open a link in new Private 'Tab' vs. an entire new window. Specifically, when a private window is already opened, having the ability for a 'new' Private TAB open, vs another Window being opened, saving resources and desktop space.

[Jon]

Thanks for submitting an idea to the Mozilla Connect community! Your idea is now open to votes (aka kudos) and comments.

[JonesBones]

There already is a submission for this.