I assume you never buy anything from a company. It pointless to try to prop up products despite it being worse. Open source project will not success in the long run unless it is better. Firefox being better at protecting privacy is a reason to use it, but thinking Mozilla values privacy because it is a non profit is not a great reason.
You can certainly do business with companies, while showing preference for an organization that shares your values whenever such an organization exists.
but thinking Mozilla values privacy because it is a non profit is not a great reason.
I think it is more that some people (including me) think Mozilla values privacy because they flat out say they do and then they have a consistent track record of supporting privacy. The fact they are non-profit does make it slightly easier to take their statements at face value, but it is their track record that really demonstrates it.
Firefox's track record in regard to privacy is a great reason to use. What I don't like is the support of products based on vague values that can't be tested. What does it really mean that Mozilla only cares about the web and not profits? This is a silly as using Android because it is "open". The way google uss open is kind of meaningless.
Of course I buy things from companies. I just say that corporate agenda from Google (selling ads), Apple (selling an aesthetically and technological experience) and Microsoft (simply money) is different than the Mozilla foundation objective which is the betterment of the Web. Mozilla does not value privacy because it is a non-profit but because it is an extremely open non-profit, you can have access to all the code, meeting notes, decisions and thus know for sure where it is going. Firefox might not be fashionable anymore and the cool kids might be on chrome but it still the product that value my values, and that is enough.
"but thinking Mozilla values privacy because it is a non profit is not a great reason."
Mozilla's entire business model isn't based around getting to know you or you habits better. Google has an inherent and fundamental financial interest in being able to follow what you do browsing day to day.
You can advertise the values of the company but if you do then those values better show up in the product. If the values don't, then what is the point?
You can advertise the features of a product, but if you do then those features better show up in the product. If the features don't, then what's the point?
