DuckDuckGo Strikes at Data Brokers with Bold Privacy Tool

For years, DuckDuckGo has stood as a beacon of privacy in the face of Google’s pervasive online surveillance. Now, the company is broadening its horizon by targeting the convoluted network of data brokers, notorious for trading personal data relentlessly.

In a groundbreaking move, DuckDuckGo is rolling out a novel tool that operates within the browser to seamlessly search for and request the deletion of your personal details from data broker databases. Gabriel Weinberg, the visionary founder and CEO, highlights the uniqueness of this tool, emphasizing its capability to function without user data submission. This revolutionary service not only eradicates existing data but also vigilantly monitors for the reappearance of such records.

Embedded within DuckDuckGo’s debut subscription-based service, dubbed Privacy Pro, this tool is accompanied by a state-of-the-art VPN and comprehensive identity theft restoration services. Initially exclusive to U.S. residents, the service is available at a monthly fee of $9.99 or an annual charge of $99.99. Weinberg points out that while DuckDuckGo’s browser and search engine provide foundational privacy protections, this new suite of tools is designed to combat the privacy infringements perpetuated by data brokers.

The data brokerage industry, a behemoth valued at over $200 billion, thrives on the unrestricted sale and collection of personal data, a practice barely restrained by the scant privacy regulations in the U.S. This tool specifically targets people-search websites, safeguarding users without collecting their information, thanks to technology developed by Removaly, acquired by DuckDuckGo in 2022.

Upon activation, users input basic personal information into DuckDuckGo’s encrypted database, which remains on the user’s device, ensuring complete privacy. The tool then probes 53 data broker sites, requesting the removal of any found data and continuously monitoring for new entries.

Despite the plethora of online personal-information-removal services, DuckDuckGo’s venture is distinguished by its commitment to privacy and transparency, a refreshing deviation from some competitors’ dubious practices.

DuckDuckGo’s subscription service marks a significant milestone, introducing a paid product for the first time. The company ensures subscriber anonymity by generating a random ID for each user, eliminating the need for account creation or payment information sharing.

Additionally, DuckDuckGo’s VPN, meticulously developed in-house and powered by WireGuard protocol, guarantees no logging of user activities. The company is committed to transparency and plans to publish a third-party audit of the VPN, reinforcing its dedication to user privacy.

Weinberg envisions these tools as essential components in the fight for online privacy, acknowledging the challenges but steadfast in the mission to provide robust, user-friendly privacy solutions.