DuckDuckGo Privacy Concerns

Cluster focuses on debates about DuckDuckGo's (DDG) privacy claims, criticisms of its backend reliance on Bing/Microsoft and potential tracking, and comparisons to alternatives like Startpage and Google.

📉 Falling 0.2x Security
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Keywords

e.g techcrunch.com BS PC DuckDuckGo donttrack.us EDIT CEO dontbubble.us DuckDuckBot ddg privacy search google duckduckgo bing results search engine proxy promises

Sample Comments

viach May 18, 2019 View on HN

Do you know that DDG is just a sophisticated proxy to another search engine under the hood, which probably has even lower standards for privacy than Google and using DDG you indirectly support it?

niutech May 23, 2024 View on HN

DDG has a history of breaching privacy: https://techcrunch.com/2022/05/24/ddg-microsoft-tracking-blo...Meanwhile Brave Search or Mojeek provide more privacy, being independent at the same time.

pphysch Mar 10, 2022 View on HN

The selling point of DDG is "pro privacy" i.e. non-interference with its users, now that this is shown to be BS, there is no reason to use it. Might as well use Google/Bing for bigger features... But probably something better out there.

ars Jul 8, 2010 View on HN

Today is my first time trying it out (although I've heard of it before), but I feel a little tricked with the image, map, and news searches. They are google links, but don't use the google logos.Some people will use DDG specifically for the privacy, and those links will forward the search query without asking any questions.At least use the standard logos, or say google. Or proxy the search (not sure if that's practical).If it's simply a better search then fine, but if the draw is the pr

s_dev May 26, 2022 View on HN

The problem is Google objectively provide better search results. I'm a DDG user as well this is my opinion -- DDG is my chosen default because of their stance on privacy.If it turns out DDG isn't offering much privacy as they claim then back to Google. It's not enough to make me switch right now but I am watching to see where this hockey puck goes.

coldtea Mar 3, 2021 View on HN

Because DDG merely uses Google and so under the covers.Plus, we don't know DDG respects privacy, it's just some generic statement they make.

yotoyo Sep 17, 2018 View on HN

I feel like I'm having DDG shoved down my throat atm with all the cheesy twitter advertising and spontaneous HN posts. Clearly what happens when you take VC money.To me - not tracking searches (or, "not doing anything") is not protecting my privacy - It's just not doing anything. Privacy is just a commercial narrative to reinforce a weak service IMO when it comes to DDG.It's pretty hard to believe there is a big team behind this website. It doesn't feel like i

thrownaway2424 Jan 11, 2014 View on HN

Exactly what guarantee does ddg provide against state snooping that Google doesn't?

smonff Nov 18, 2020 View on HN

DDG is a search engine that respect your privacy. DDG doesn't put you in a « bubble » based on your location, search history, your browsing history, physical moves, time of day, country of residence, IP, and billions parameters I don't know about. Therefore, there are things that cannot be done, like Google or Bing do.Google is like an oracle because it exploit all of this. And it works, with a cost for your privacy (but maybe you are ok to pay it). DDG is more a "meta-search-e

fulafel Nov 6, 2017 View on HN

How is the privacy assurance of this vs DDG? What are the promises and does either proide more than promises?