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 visiting certain websites, it was discovered this week that DuckDuckGo’s mobile browser sends data to Microsoft-owned properties.
DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg confirmed this, saying that the company is working to restore its reputation after the potentially damaging discovery was shared 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
DuckDuckGo Browser Allows Microsoft Trackers Security researcher Jacob Edwards revealed evidence of DuckDuckGo’s mobile browser transferring data to Microsoft’s LinkedIn and Bing Ads in a lengthy Twitter thread.
You can capture data within the DuckDuckGo so-called private browser on a website like Facebook's https://t.co/u8W44qvsqF and you'll see that DDG does NOT stop data flows to Microsoft's Linkedin domains or their Bing advertising domains.
— ℨ𝔞𝔠𝔥 𝔈𝔡𝔴𝔞𝔯𝔡𝔰 (@thezedwards) May 23, 2022
iOS + Android proof:
👀🫥😮💨🤡⛈️⚖️💸💸💸 pic.twitter.com/u3Q30KIs7e
The CEO of DuckDuckGo Responds to Criticism
Weinberg reacted quickly to the negative press surrounding his company, confirming that Microsoft trackers are not blocked on the DuckDuckGo browser.
However, he tries to downplay the situation by claiming that it has no bearing on DuckDuckGo’s search results.
In a statement posted to the Hacker News forum, he begins, “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.
Read 5 Reasons Why Cross Browser Testing Is Important.
While a DuckDuckGo spokesperson tells PCMag.com that it has “no bearing on our search results,” it is inextricably linked to the search contract with Microsoft.
DuckDuckGo’s public relations campaign isn’t over yet. Anyone who criticizes the company on Twitter gets the same canned response from Weinberg:
“Hi, FYI — this isn’t about our search engine, and we actually restrict Microsoft scripts in our browsers, including blocking their 3rd party cookies. If you want full context, I left a detailed explanation on reddit.”
Weinberg clarifies in the Reddit thread he links 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 mainstream users.”
In Summary
What are the main takeaways from all of this?
In other words, the company 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 guaranteed.
Microsoft trackers must be allowed in DuckDuckGo’s web browser by contract.
When using DuckDuckGo.com to conduct searches, the company continues to promise protection from data trackers.
It remains to be seen whether this has a long-term impact on DuckDuckGo’s reputation.
To DuckDuckGo’s credit, it’s unusual to see a CEO jump on a problem so quickly and publicly address public concerns. Weinberg has been completely open about the DuckDuckGo-Microsoft search partnership.
Learn more from the news.
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