OKCupid Unblocks Firefox

After gaining substantial media attention for encouraging its users to stop utilizing Mozilla's Web browser, Firefox, to access the online dating site, OKCupid abruptly changed course on Wednesday and removed the block.

The dating site offered no explanation for the sudden change in course, and officials did not respond immediately to The Advocate'srequests for comment. Meanwhile, the new CEO at the helm of Mozilla hinted that he may have convinced OKCupid to drop its complaint.

Since last Thursday, OKCupid users trying to access the site from Mozilla's Firefox browser have seen this message:

"Mozilla's new CEO, Brendan Eich, is an opponent of equal rights for gay couples. We would therefore prefer that our users not use Mozilla software to access OkCupid."

The message went on to explain that OKCupid is an LGBT-inclusive site, noting, "If individuals like Mr. Eich had their way, then roughly 8% of the relationships we've worked so hard to bring about would be illegal." After another request urging OKCupid clients to stop using Firefox, the dating site offered links to alternate browsers, as well as a link to access OKCupid through Firefox.

But as David Badash at The New Civil Rights Movement first reported, by Wednesday, Firefox users no longer saw the notification when logging on to OKCupid.

Although OKCupid officials have stayed mum on the motivation for the change, Mozilla's CEO told CNETyesterday that he believes the change was prompted by several statements from other Mozilla officials guaranteeing that the company as a whole supports marriage equality and LGBT people.

Eich told CNET that Mozilla didn't know about OKCupid's block until the message was posted, but speculated yesterday that the site might remove the block.

"They didn't seem to be aware of the statement that Mitchell Baker made over the weekend," Eich said. "As an organization, Mitchell said, Mozilla supports LGBT equality. I don't think they heard about that. There's a good chance that'll come down. I can't promise you. We're talking to them now."