The search deal of DuckDuckGo prevents browsers from blocking Microsoft trackers
Despite promising privacy precautions, DuckDuckGo’s mobile web browser accepts Microsoft data trackers.
A problem with DuckDuckGo’s search syndication agreement with Microsoft has resulted in data being tracked in the company’s ostensibly private mobile web browser.
When browsing certain websites, it was found this week that DuckDuckGo’s mobile browser sends data to Microsoft-owned properties.
DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg acknowledged this, saying that the company is striving to restore its reputation after the potentially devastating revelation was posted on Twitter.
Does this imply that DuckDuckGo, which prides itself on its privacy, isn’t as private as we’ve come to believe?
Here’s what’s new with DuckDuckGo’s browser, what the CEO has to say about it, and why critics aren’t happy.
DuckDuckGo Browser Allows Microsoft Trackers
In a lengthy Twitter thread, security researcher Jacob Edwards showed evidence of DuckDuckGo’s mobile browser transmitting data to Microsoft’s LinkedIn and Bing Ads.
Transferring data to a third party would be nothing out of the ordinary if this were a web browser from any other company.
This is developing into quite a problem for DuckDuckGo, a startup that prides itself on not tracking consumers.
The company’s whole mission statement revolves around privacy. “We don’t keep track of you.” At the time of writing, DuckDuckGo’s site states, “Never.
As a result, any tracking violates DuckDuckGo’s mission statement.
Even though this problem appears to be limited to Microsoft-owned properties, DuckDuckGo continues to promise a level of security that it does not achieve.
DuckDuckGo CEO Responds To Criticism
Weinberg reacted quickly to the negative press surrounding his company, stating that Microsoft trackers are not banned on the DuckDuckGo browser.
However, he tries to downplay the matter by claiming that it has no bearing on DuckDuckGo’s search results.
In a statement posted on the Hacker News site, he says, “This is not about search.”
Isn’t it, however?
This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the search syndication agreement between DuckDuckGo and Microsoft.
While a DuckDuckGo spokeswoman told PCMag.com that it has “no bearing on our search results,” it is inextricably linked to the search arrangement with Microsoft.
DuckDuckGo’s public relations campaign isn’t over yet. Anyone who criticizes the corporation on Twitter gets the same canned response from Weinberg:
“Hi, FYI this isn’t about our search engine, and we block Microsoft scripts in our browsers, as well as their third-party cookies.” I left a comprehensive explanation on Reddit if you want the whole background.”
Weinberg clarifies in the Reddit discussion he links to that DuckDuckGo does not guarantee anonymity when browsing outside of its search engine.
He also claims that “nothing can guarantee 100 percent security,” and that DuckDuckGo is “the best thing out there for general people.”
In Summary
What are the most important takeaways from all of this?
In other words, the firm that claims it will never track you is tracking you at times.
When using DuckDuckGo outside of its search engine, we’ve discovered that complete anonymity isn’t ensured.
Microsoft trackers must be allowed in DuckDuckGo’s web browser per contract.
When using DuckDuckGo.com to do searches, the company continues to claim safety from data trackers.
It remains to be seen whether this has a long-term influence on DuckDuckGo’s image.
To DuckDuckGo’s credit, it’s unusual to see a CEO jump on a problem so swiftly and publicly address public concerns. Weinberg has been completely open about the DuckDuckGo-Microsoft search partnership.
