--- a/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/media/MediaControlService.java
+++ b/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/media/MediaControlService.java
@@ -343,17 +343,17 @@ public class MediaControlService extends
         }
 
         if (!mIsMediaControlPrefOn) {
             return;
         }
 
         final Tab tab = AudioFocusAgent.getInstance().getActiveMediaTab();
 
-        if (tab == null) {
+        if (tab == null || tab.isPrivate()) {
             return;
         }
 
         ThreadUtils.postToBackgroundThread(new Runnable() {
             @Override
             public void run() {
                 updateNotification(tab);
             }