Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!


DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement
New on LowEndTalk? Please Register and read our Community Rules.

All new Registrations are manually reviewed and approved, so a short delay after registration may occur before your account becomes active.

DuckDuckGo browser allows Microsoft trackers due to search agreement

dane_dohertydane_doherty Member
edited May 2022 in General

The privacy-focused DuckDuckGo browser purposely allows Microsoft trackers on third-party sites due to an agreement in their syndicated search content contract between the two companies.

While performing a security audit of the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser, security researcher Zach Edwards discovered that while the browser blocks Google and Facebook trackers, it allowed Microsoft trackers to continue running.

Further tests showed that DuckDuckGo allowed trackers related to the bing.com and linkedin.com domains while blocking all other trackers.

In response to Edwards' long thread on the subject, DuckDuckGo CEO and Founder Gabriel Weinberg confirmed that their browser intentionally allows Microsoft trackers third-party sites due to a search syndication agreement with Redmond.

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. However, we have been continually pushing and expect to be doing more soon.

This has led to quite the uproar on Hacker News, where Weinberg has been defending the company's transparency surrounding the agreements with Microsoft.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-browser-allows-microsoft-trackers-due-to-search-agreement/

Thanked by 2JasonM szarka
«1

Comments

  • mirocmiroc Member

    how is this privacy focused lol

    Thanked by 3Chuck JasonM ariq01
  • jarjar Patron Provider, Top Host, Veteran

    Anyone who thinks DuckDuckGo hasn’t been compromised and still cares about privacy hasn’t been paying attention.

  • WickedWicked Member

    DuckDuckByeBye

  • Not only that they recently decided to promote and demote search results on the basis of misinformation.

    Thanked by 2jar Chuck
  • jarjar Patron Provider, Top Host, Veteran
    edited May 2022

    @trycatchthis said:
    Not only that they recently decided to promote and demote search results on the basis of misinformation.

    You'd think everyone would have learned from the time that Twitter banned accounts and deleted posts for talking about something that is now objectively verified fact (Hunter laptop). Makes you think that removing misinformation is really just a cover for something that isn't for the benefit of any end user.

    And that's where I stand. Misinformation prevention efforts are not for us, they're for billionaires and politicians.

  • ChuckChuck Member

    politicians 💩.

    Thanked by 1JasonM
  • plumbergplumberg Veteran

    So which search engine should one use?

  • @plumberg said:
    So which search engine should one use?

    pornhub, never dissapoints with ANY search results. Even if I trying to order a pizza.

  • caracalcaracal Member

    @desperand said:

    @plumberg said:
    So which search engine should one use?

    pornhub, never dissapoints with ANY search results. Even if I trying to order a pizza.

    What do you get when you try to find a 8GB VPS?

  • @jar said:

    @trycatchthis said:
    Not only that they recently decided to promote and demote search results on the basis of misinformation.

    You'd think everyone would have learned from the time that Twitter banned accounts and deleted posts for talking about something that is now objectively verified fact (Hunter laptop). Makes you think that removing misinformation is really just a cover for something that isn't for the benefit of any end user.

    And that's where I stand. Misinformation prevention efforts are not for us, they're for billionaires and politicians.

    That's racisims biggot. Please report to your nearest reeducation center for further processing. /s

    Thanked by 1jar
  • ChuckChuck Member

    It looks like DuckDuckGo is actually an asshole company. They block everyone else but allowing Bing Microsoft. Then they lied to everyone that they don't track :poop: .

    Thanked by 1JasonM
  • JasonMJasonM Member

    @dane_doherty said: This has led to quite the uproar on Hacker News, where Weinberg has been defending the company's transparency surrounding the agreements with Microsoft.

    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/duckduckgo-browser-allows-microsoft-trackers-due-to-search-agreement/

    Why would duckduckgo allow linkedin tracker??

    :o

  • ChuckChuck Member

    This again has proved that the companies could lie to your face. Doesn't matter what their policies say. Doesn't matter what their CEO says.

  • zcorpszcorps Member

    Hmmmm F the duck lol. Qwant and startpage is good

    Thanked by 1Chuck
  • Everyone have secret contract with everyone.

    Thanked by 3default Chuck ariq01
  • _MS__MS_ Member

    Stop trying, and just use Google.

    Thanked by 2Chuck ariq01
  • desperanddesperand Member
    edited May 2022

    Mod edit (angstrom): Removed text/images about DuckDuckGo's not finding footage from Bucha

  • raindog308raindog308 Administrator, Veteran

    @plumberg said: So which search engine should one use?

    Bing. Because Microsoft will pay you to use it.

    Over the last ten years, I've received over $400 in Amazon gift cards from Microsoft (Microsoft Rewards - you get points for searching with Bing). Search results are about as good as google's.

    As soon as they stop paying me, I'll stop using it.

    Thanked by 3plumberg Chuck ariq01
  • asterisk14asterisk14 Member
    edited May 2022

    @raindog308 said:

    @plumberg said: So which search engine should one use?

    Bing. Because Microsoft will pay you to use it.

    Over the last ten years, I've received over $400 in Amazon gift cards from Microsoft (Microsoft Rewards - you get points for searching with Bing). Search results are about as good as google's.

    As soon as they stop paying me, I'll stop using it.

    How do I get the cash???

    @Chuck said:
    This again has proved that the companies could lie to your face. Doesn't matter what their policies say. Doesn't matter what their CEO says.

    What do you think all the VPN companies are doing and the free cloud storage??

    Mod edit (angstrom): Removed reaction to @desperand's comment

    Thanked by 1Chuck
  • MS said:
    Stop trying, and just use Google.

    There were times when Google was the only sane option for searching the web. Nowadays you can find stuff using other search engines as good (or sometimes even better) as you would have using Google - not necessarily because the other engines have gotten better, but because Google results are getting progressively worse.

    Thanked by 1TimRoo
  • @raindog308 said:

    @plumberg said: So which search engine should one use?

    Bing. Because Microsoft will pay you to use it.

    Over the last ten years, I've received over $400 in Amazon gift cards from Microsoft (Microsoft Rewards - you get points for searching with Bing). Search results are about as good as google's.

    In my experience, Bing results are far, far, far worse than Google and since you're paid to and almost exclusively use Bing, I'm going to say you're not qualified/experienced to make that claim based on my equivalent lack of Bing experience.

    But seriously, it's night and fucking day different in terms of getting the best hit in top 3 results returned.

    Thanked by 3jar bulbasaur ariq01
  • jarjar Patron Provider, Top Host, Veteran

    @TimboJones said:

    @raindog308 said:

    @plumberg said: So which search engine should one use?

    Bing. Because Microsoft will pay you to use it.

    Over the last ten years, I've received over $400 in Amazon gift cards from Microsoft (Microsoft Rewards - you get points for searching with Bing). Search results are about as good as google's.

    In my experience, Bing results are far, far, far worse than Google and since you're paid to and almost exclusively use Bing, I'm going to say you're not qualified/experienced to make that claim based on my equivalent lack of Bing experience.

    But seriously, it's night and fucking day different in terms of getting the best hit in top 3 results returned.

    Yeah I often use Bing and then fall, go back to Google. I use the reward points for bing but at least half the time it just doesn’t even find what I’m looking for. My tastes may be unique though.

  • raindog308raindog308 Administrator, Veteran

    @TimboJones said: In my experience, Bing results are far, far, far worse than Google

    Not been my experience. I haven't done a comparison but when I search for things on Bing, I find them. Besides, you might be getting Google results too LOL.

    However, one area where I do think Bing is much better is in image search because it offers more filters.

    With Google Images, you've got a crippled size filter ("Medium", "Large"), color, type, time, and usage rights.

    With Bing, you have all that plus

    • you can specify the exact image size or minimums - size filter is much better
    • and you can specify layout (wide vs. tall)
    • The usage rights filter has more options
    • You can filter people by head, head and shoulders, etc.
    Thanked by 1bikegremlin
  • raindog308raindog308 Administrator, Veteran

    @jar said: My tastes may be unique though.

    There are plenty of other people looking for Taylor Swift nip slips, I assure you.

  • angstromangstrom Moderator

    @desperand @asterisk14

    Please keep war-related posts out of this thread

  • @angstrom said:
    @desperand @asterisk14

    Please keep war-related posts out of this thread

    What’s with the overly aggressive moderation style where people can’t even discuss a comparison of search engines and their surrounding politics?

    Seems like @SirFoxy was right in his assessment, and feel free to give me a permanent ban. I can spend my time usefully elsewhere, and I hope you’ll help me with it.

  • angstromangstrom Moderator

    @stevewatson301 said:

    @angstrom said:
    @desperand @asterisk14

    Please keep war-related posts out of this thread

    What’s with the overly aggressive moderation style where people can’t even discuss a comparison of search engines and their surrounding politics?

    I'm a bit surprised by your reaction

    @asterisk14's reply to @desperand wasn't about search engines per se

    At the same time, @desperand didn't need to introduce images to make his point

    (By the way, as a general remark, the great majority of my actions as mod are based on flagged posts)

    Seems like @SirFoxy was right in his assessment, and feel free to give me a permanent ban. I can spend my time usefully elsewhere, and I hope you’ll help me with it.

    If you really believe that that guy was right in his assessment (which includes his choice of words), then I find this sad and I don't know what to say to convince you otherwise

  • @stevewatson301 said:

    @angstrom said:
    @desperand @asterisk14

    Please keep war-related posts out of this thread

    What’s with the overly aggressive moderation style where people can’t even discuss a comparison of search engines and their surrounding politics?

    Seems like @SirFoxy was right in his assessment, and feel free to give me a permanent ban. I can spend my time usefully elsewhere, and I hope you’ll help me with it.

    I don't know if it's @angstrom or somebody else, but I feel that the amount of moderation actions skyrocketed lately. Every other thread nowadays has some of its posts removed, thread title changed or is outright closed.

  • fynixfynix Member
    edited May 2022

    [Remark intended to provoke another user]

    Mod edit (angstrom): Please don't provoke other users in this way

Sign In or Register to comment.