Hello,
I have had a Mozilla Add-on for almost 5 years. Many things have changed in Mozilla Add-ons during this time and that’s why I want to express my concerns.
Recently, I uploaded a new version of my add-on, and since my add-on contains minified code I uploaded the source code with detailed instructions on how my add-on is built. This has been the case for the many previous versions which never had an issue to pass review.
I understand the review process is slow and done by volunteers, and I can deal with that. However, in my case, the reviewer failed to follow the most basic instructions (it can be confusing to build others’ projects so I understand). The problem, is that the 15 days for the review process have elapsed and the Add-on has been delisted.
First, I find it pretty bad to constantly receive emails threatening me of my add-on being delisted when:
- I provided the source code
- My add on has been listed for almost 5 years without an issue
- I responded to the reviewers emails in less than 24h every time
- I’m helpless when the reviewer fails to follow 4 basic steps to replicate the uploaded version with the sent source code.
Secondly, I think it is pretty poor design to entirely delist a web extension just because the new version has failed to pass review, or in this case, reviewer has failed to build the web extension. In my opinion, if a new version hasn’t passed review, THE OLD VERSION SHOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE. Currently, I’m receiving emails of customers complaining that they cannot use the web extension. Considering the slow review process and the delays we have been experiencing, the least Mozilla could do is keep the OLD versions that have PASSED REVIEW alive in order NOT TO KILL BUSINESSES.
It’s easy, you have a live version, and then a new version isn’t live until it passes review. So if it doesn’t pass review, no one get hurts and the problems can be fixed without pressure.
All in all, this is poor support for developers to work with Mozilla and Firefox.
I understand the goals of the review process and as a Firefox user I appreciate them. We cannot trust third party code. But there’s a difference between thoroughly reviewing addon source codes and delisting addons that have previously passed review and have shown absolutely no issues nor gotten reports. This kills honest businesses.
This is frustrating.