# Lightbeam (software)

> Mozilla Firefox browser add-on

**Wikidata**: [Q1109973](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1109973)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightbeam_(software))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lightbeam-software

## Summary
Lightbeam is a free software add-on for the Mozilla Firefox browser, developed by Mozilla Corporation, that visualizes how websites track user activity across the web. It was created to help users understand and control third-party tracking by displaying connections between websites in real-time. The tool is also available as a Google Chrome extension and for Android devices.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Firefox extension, Google Chrome extension, and Android application
- **Developer**: Mozilla Corporation (inception: 2005-09-00)
- **Inception**: 2011-07-00
- **License**: Mozilla Public License, version 2.0
- **Platforms**: Firefox, Chrome (Chromium-based), Android
- **Programming Language**: Uses WebExtensions (since 2017-04-00)
- **Versions**: 1.2.1 (2015-02-15), 2.0.0 (2017-09-28), 2.0.1 (2017-09-29), 2.0.4 (2017-10-09), 2.1.0 (2018-02-17), 2.2.0 (2022-08-19), 2.3.6 (2023-04-17), 2.4.0 (2023-09-06), 2.4.1 (2023-11-04), 2.4.2 (2024-04-04), 3.0.6 (2024-07-25), 3.0.11 (2025-01-04), 3.3.0 (2025-09-30, stable version)
- **Aliases**: Collusion
- **Website**: [GitHub](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam-we), [GitLab](https://gitlab.com/chikl/lightbeam/), [German site](https://lightbeam.chikl.de/start/)
- **Source Code Repositories**: [GitHub (legacy)](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam), [GitHub (WebExtensions)](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam-we), [Codeberg](https://codeberg.org/chikl/Lightbeam)
- **Logo**: [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Lightbeam_logo.svg)
- **Wikipedia**: Available in English, German, French, and Chinese
- **Commons Category**: Lightbeam (aka collusion)

## FAQs
- **What is Lightbeam used for?** Lightbeam is a browser extension that visualizes how websites track user activity across the web, helping users understand and control third-party tracking.
- **Who developed Lightbeam?** Lightbeam was developed by Mozilla Corporation, a software company based in the United States.
- **On which platforms is Lightbeam available?** Lightbeam is available as a Firefox add-on, a Google Chrome extension, and an Android application.
- **What programming languages does Lightbeam use?** Lightbeam uses WebExtensions, which were adopted in 2017.
- **What are the different versions of Lightbeam?** Lightbeam has multiple versions, including 1.2.1, 2.0.0, 2.0.1, 2.0.4, 2.1.0, 2.2.0, 2.3.6, 2.4.0, 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 3.0.6, 3.0.11, and 3.3.0.
- **What is the license for Lightbeam?** Lightbeam is distributed under the Mozilla Public License, version 2.0.
- **Where can I find the source code for Lightbeam?** The source code for Lightbeam is available on GitHub, GitLab, and Codeberg.
- **What is the official website for Lightbeam?** The official websites for Lightbeam include GitHub, GitLab, and a German-language site hosted by chikl.

## Why It Matters
Lightbeam was created to address the growing concern of online tracking and privacy. By visualizing how websites share user data, Lightbeam empowers users to make informed decisions about their online privacy. The tool was developed in response to the increasing prevalence of third-party tracking, which allows websites to collect user data across multiple platforms. Lightbeam's real-time visualization helps users understand the extent of tracking and take steps to mitigate it. The project aligns with Mozilla's mission to promote privacy and user control in the digital space.

## Notable For
- **Privacy Visualization**: Lightbeam is notable for its ability to visualize third-party tracking in real-time, helping users understand how websites share user data.
- **Cross-Platform Availability**: Lightbeam is available on multiple platforms, including Firefox, Chrome, and Android, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
- **Open Source**: Lightbeam is distributed as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.
- **Multiple Versions**: Lightbeam has released numerous versions, indicating ongoing development and updates to improve functionality and user experience.
- **Aliases**: Lightbeam is also known by the alias "Collusion," reflecting its focus on tracking and data sharing.

## Body
### Overview
Lightbeam is a free software add-on for the Mozilla Firefox browser that visualizes how websites track user activity across the web. It was developed by Mozilla Corporation, a software company based in the United States, and was first released in 2011. The tool is designed to help users understand and control third-party tracking by displaying connections between websites in real-time. Lightbeam is also available as a Google Chrome extension and for Android devices.

### Development and Release
Lightbeam was developed by Mozilla Corporation, which was founded in 2005. The project was initiated in 2011 and has since undergone multiple updates and version releases. The most recent stable version is 3.3.0, released in 2025. Lightbeam uses WebExtensions, which were adopted in 2017, to ensure compatibility with modern web standards.

### Versions and Updates
Lightbeam has released numerous versions, including 1.2.1 (2015), 2.0.0 (2017), 2.0.1 (2017), 2.0.4 (2017), 2.1.0 (2018), 2.2.0 (2022), 2.3.6 (2023), 2.4.0 (2023), 2.4.1 (2023), 2.4.2 (2024), 3.0.6 (2024), 3.0.11 (2025), and 3.3.0 (2025). Each version includes updates and improvements to enhance functionality and user experience.

### Platforms and Availability
Lightbeam is available as a Firefox add-on, a Google Chrome extension, and an Android application. This cross-platform availability ensures that users can access the tool regardless of their preferred browser or device. The tool is distributed under the Mozilla Public License, version 2.0, making it free software that users can freely run, study, change, and distribute.

### Source Code and Repositories
The source code for Lightbeam is available on multiple platforms, including GitHub, GitLab, and Codeberg. The legacy source code is hosted on GitHub, while the WebExtensions version is also available on GitHub. The preferred repository is on Codeberg, hosted by Codeberg e.V. The project's official websites include GitHub, GitLab, and a German-language site hosted by chikl.

### Logo and Media
The logo for Lightbeam is available on Wikimedia Commons. The project is also associated with a commons category, Lightbeam (aka collusion), which includes related media and resources. Lightbeam is available in multiple languages on Wikipedia, including English, German, French, and Chinese.

### Related Projects and Connections
Lightbeam is related to other Mozilla projects and software, including free software and Android, which is an operating system created by Google for use on mobile devices. The tool also uses JavaScript, a programming language first introduced in 1995. Lightbeam is part of Mozilla's broader efforts to promote privacy and user control in the digital space.

## References

1. [Source](https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/lightbeam-chikl/)
2. [Source](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/thunderbeam-lightbeam-for/hjkajeglckopdkbggdiajobpilgccgnj)
3. [Source](https://www.openhub.net/p/mozilla-lightbeam/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [Source](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam/releases/tag/lightbeam-1.2.1)
5. [Release 2.0.0. 2017](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam-we/releases/tag/2.0.0)
6. [Release 2.0.1. 2017](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam-we/releases/tag/2.0.1)
7. [lightbeam-we, Release 2.0.4. 2017](https://github.com/mozilla/lightbeam-we/releases/tag/2.0.4)
8. [Source](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/lightbeam/versions/)
9. [Source](https://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/lightbeam-chikl/versions/)
10. [Lightbeam version history](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/lightbeam-chikl/versions/)
11. [Source](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/thunderbeam-lightbeam-for/hjkajeglckopdkbggdiajobpilgccgnj)
12. [TED. 2012](https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_kovacs_tracking_the_trackers)
13. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/mozilla/lightbeam)
14. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/mozilla/lightbeam-we)
15. [Source](https://lightbeam.chikl.de/start/)