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DuckDuckGo App and Extension Upgrades Offer Privacy 'Beyond the Search Box' (theverge.com)
An anonymous reader quotes the Verge:
DuckDuckGo is launching updated versions of its browser extension and mobile app, with the promise of keeping internet users safe from snooping "beyond the search box." The company's flagship product, its privacy-focused search engine, will remain the same, but the revamped extension and app will offer new tools to help users keep their web-browsing as safe and private as possible. These include grade ratings for websites, factoring in their use of encryption and ad tracking networks, and offering summaries of their terms of service (with summaries provided by third-party Terms of Service Didn't Read). The app and extension are available for Firefox, Safari, Chrome, iOS, and Android.
The ability to block ad tracking networks is probably the most important feature here. These networks are used by companies like Google and Facebook to follow users around the web, stitching together their browsing history to create a more accurate profile for targeted advertising.
DuckDuckGo calls it "a major step to simplify online privacy," adding that without it, "It's hard to use the Internet without it feeling a bit creepy -- like there's a nosey neighbor watching everything you do from across the street."
The ability to block ad tracking networks is probably the most important feature here. These networks are used by companies like Google and Facebook to follow users around the web, stitching together their browsing history to create a more accurate profile for targeted advertising.
DuckDuckGo calls it "a major step to simplify online privacy," adding that without it, "It's hard to use the Internet without it feeling a bit creepy -- like there's a nosey neighbor watching everything you do from across the street."
20 Paoli Pike, Paoli, Pennsylvania, United States. So no, unless you think Putin owns Trump, and by extension...
I'll take care of my own privacy with Noscript, Open Referer Control, uBlock Origin, User-Agent Switcher, Ghostery, Cookie Autodelete, Greasemonkey, Tor and all the others thank you very much.
The irony here is these are also all “free services”, not so different from DuckDuckGo. Have you personally done a code audit on each one?
DuckDuckGo sells clearly-marked ads - they tell you that, and they ask (but do not require) that you whitelist their site so they can make some money on serving you search results. I can live with that.
#DeleteChrome
I use it as my default engine, and use Google as my fall back if DDG fails. It gives DDG the chance to be âoegood enoughâ, letâ(TM)s me find what I need when it isnâ(TM)t, and denies Google most of my everyday searches. It doesnâ(TM)t need to be the best to be worth using. I end up back at google infrequently unless Iâ(TM)m needing to find scientific writing.
Bureaucracy expands to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.-Oscar Wilde
I do the same thing you’re describing.
I will add that, in my experience, when DuckDuckGo doesn’t deliver what I want... generally Google also fails to do so nowadays. Frankly, I think Google’s search is not as good as it once was - people have finally figured out how to consistently game it.
#DeleteChrome