Not so privacy-focused after all, it appears... DuckDuckGo is being accused of allowing Microsoft tracking. Microsoft (MSFT) does provide some of their search engine capabilities, but DuckDuckGo (DDG) branded itself as the #BigTech Alternative. This being the case, one would think they'd be a bit more transparent with this type of user tracking arrangement.

This is actually a pretty long article, and rightfully so, as it is a complicated story. But, I decided to break it down for you so here are the main points:

1. DDG marketed themselves as alternatives to big tech
2. They offered "privacy protection" for those "tired of being tracked online"
3. DDG allows MSFT to run scripts, collect user data and monitor via third-party trackers
4. DDG's browser also allows trackers from MSFT, while blocking trackers from Google, Facebook & others...
5. DDG claims there are "restrictions" on MSFT's trackers, but critics claim there are ways around this using "fingerprinting" to collect user data
6. DDG claims that due to their syndication agreement with MSFT, they are prevented from completely blocking MSFT scripts, but will push for more restrictions in the future.

OK, those were the major takeaways from the story itself. I think that this is a very damaging blow to the reputation of this search engine which offered not only privacy, but also transparency. It is clear from their actions that they actually provided neither of those features, as it pertains to their partner, Microsoft. If you don't want Microsoft tracking you, you may want to consider finding an alternative search engine / browser. Maybe Firefox? Brave browser? Feel free to post any alternatives that you can think of in the comments!

OK, here's a snippet from the story, the link will be at the bottom. As always, Promo code "PARALLEL" will get you past the popup with a free month subscription.

How about a Big Tech “privacy-friendly alternative” that’s, in reality, teaming up and working closely with Microsoft – and appears to put faith in the ethics of a notoriously and historically unethical corporate giant? And what if this “alternative” has a tracking deal with Microsoft?

A pretty bleak prospect, considering that these massive corporations are about as bad as each other where monopolistic behavior, user tracking, and data harvesting is concerned.

But that is precisely what DuckDuckGo (DGG) – a “Google Search alternative” search engine and browser that has lately been stumbling from one credibility-undermining controversy to another – is now being accused of. And once again, its CEO Gabriel Weinberg is in full damage control mode on social networks, denying that anything’s wrong – but not so much by clearly explaining the situation, as by talking in circles to justify it.

What DuckDuckGo says on the tin, that is, when you visit the search page, is that it provides seamless privacy protection on the browser, asking users if they’re “tired of being tracked online” and then promising that the company “can help” if the answer is affirmative. Another promise is that of “privacy protection for any device.”

Users are being led to believe that, unlike DDG’s huge competitors, the search operation doesn’t track them or retain search history. And the browser app is telling users that it automatically blocks hidden third-party trackers.

But what it is accused of actually doing is allowing Microsoft to run its scripts, collect data points on users and monitor them via third-party trackers from the Redmond behemoth – not on the DuckDuckGo site itself, but on some third-party websites.

In addition to running the search site and providing browser extensions, DuckDuckGo also has its own browser, for Android and iOS. It is there that, as security engineer Zach Edwards discovered and shared in a Twitter thread, DDG blocks trackers from Google and Facebook – but not from Microsoft, and that this behavior relates to bing.com and linkedin.com.

Promo code "PARALLEL" = 1 free month subscription

LINK:
https://reclaimthenet.org/breaking-down-duckduckgos-microsoft-tracking-controversy/