It Seems DuckDuckGo Isn't Quite What You May Have Thought

blog cover image
31
1.4K followers

I have used DuckDuckGo many times as an alternative to Google. So I was surprised to read a review of it today which claimed it's not as "pure" as I thought.

I can't send you directly to what I read, as it is in a private group, but I will give you the main points. One of the things that DuckDuckGo says about itself, and one of the resasons I've used it, is that right on its homepage it says, "We don't store your personal info. We don't follow you around with ads. We don't track you. Ever."

But evidently it depends. Basically, DuckDuckGo gets its data from over 400 places online, and it states it doesn't get data from Google. BUT if you go to the DDG help pages and read the sources page, it does say its information comes "most commonly from Bing."

Well, Bing means Microsoft, and Microsoft used to be run by Bill Gates, as you may well know.

DuckDuckGo’s CEO said in a tweet:

For non-search tracker blocking (eg in our browser), we block most third-party trackers. Unfortunately our Microsoft search syndication agreement prevents us from doing more to Microsoft-owned properties.

So if you click on an ad that Microsoft has provided in DDG's search results, MS may get your IP address and maybe more.

So it's not exactly what I thought.

Well, hey, I'm old enough (see my gray hair!) to know that lots of things are not exactly what I thought.

What do you think of this? I don't feel righteous indignation myself.





Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training

Recent Comments

19

Hi Rosana,

I have always sauntered through life oblivious to what happens around me. The use of tech has become so ubiquitous that I've given up wondering who has my information.

Coincidentally I decided to Google myself to see how I am being tracked. I was amazed to find my name crop up in places I had no idea it would. Like in the music I liked. My Newsletter as District Governor 15 years ago showed up in a publications company. And in other people's resumes where I sent them notices of recommendation. Plus in societies I have been a member of.

Thankfully none of this is controversial.

I feel that to stay private we would have to void going online altogether. That is not an option.

Thanks for the DDG report. I was thinking of trying them out. Perhaps it's not worth my time now.

All the best to you.

Edwin

Unfortunately it’s either or, and as you said, not an option for us, though blockchain technology may offer options soon, that is if we can figure it out.

Actually, I just remembered Brave browser. It is blockchain based. Brave.com.

Honestly, Rosana, I am not surprised! Truth is an alien word these days!

Jeff

I read something about that last week. Not good.

I think that gathering and retaining information is a must in the online age. I try to maintain and email list. I try hope people will comment and leave online contact info. It's a matter of semantics and degree in terms of retaining info.

I did read this somewhere recently through one of the online news sources that I subscribe to.

I am not going to worry about it. Duck Duck Go is still better than the alternatives,

Alex

See more comments

Login
Create Your Free Wealthy Affiliate Account Today!
icon
4-Steps to Success Class
icon
One Profit Ready Website
icon
Market Research & Analysis Tools
icon
Millionaire Mentorship
icon
Core “Business Start Up” Training