Firefox has unveiled its latest browser update, which includes its “enhanced tracking protection” – essentially, stopping and websites being able to track your activity and therefore snooping on your purchase and search behaviour. Although it’s not switched on by default yet, the company expects to release this addition next year.

Although Firefox has pretty much always included the ability to stop cookies recording some personal data, this is the first time it’s allowed users to block tracking cookies.

“Maybe this seems like no big deal, but we think that you should have a say in how this data is used,” Mozilla said in a blog post. “After all, it’s more than just an annoying pair of shoes following you around, its data that can be used to subtly shape the content you consume or even influence your opinions.”

But, cookies can also be used to make some important parts of a website work and as such, some sites may appear broken if tracking cookies are switched off. Luckily, it’s easy to turn cookie tracking off on a case-by-case basis.

“You might see some odd behaviour on websites, so if something doesn’t look or work right, you can always disable the protection on a per-site basis by clicking on the Shield Icon in the address bar, and then clicking “Disable Blocking For This Site”, “ Mozilla continued.

Other features rolling out to Firefox users in the Firefox 63 update include search shortcuts with Amazon and Google now a permanent fixture on the new tabs page, an adaptable design that will change to dark or light depending on which theme you have activated in Windows and Siri shortcuts for iOS users.