DuckDuckGo: Delivering Privacy. That Is the Claim.
January 25, 2018
I read “Protecting Your Personal Data Has Never Been This Easy.” The metasearch engine asserts that it delivers what other browsers cannot. Privacy.
I don’t feel strongly about browsers. I don’t feel much about free Web search systems either.
I circled this statement in the write up:
Today we’re taking a major step to simplify online privacy with the launch of fully revamped versions of our browser extension and mobile app, now with built-in tracker network blocking, smarter encryption, and, of course, private search – all designed to operate seamlessly together while you search and browse the web.
DuckDuckGo was one of the Surface Web services to offer a Dark Web alternative. The New York Times dabbles in the Dark Web as well.
I assume that DuckDuckGo’s browser extension will perform as advertised.
However, I would point out that operations mounted by Lebanon’s GDGS and other government authorities use a wide range of mechanisms to obtain information about certain online users.
A number of companies operating outside the US have systems and methods which perform a number of surveillance functions. Each week, I mention some of the firms and describe in simple terms a few of the methods employed by those who have the responsibility to enforce laws and protect citizens. You can view the DarkCyber videos at this link.
Several observations:
- Some of the engineers working for specialists who design, deploy, and manage systems for governments are using sophisticated systems which perform remarkable data collection tasks
- Mathematical recipes identify items of data which are “interesting” and knit these together into useful patterns. Australia’s success in shutting down a Dark Web site has become a useful case example for innovative data analysis and investigation
- Users, regardless of the security methods employed, are often the vector for revealing information. One anecdote circulated at a security event I attended. Lebanon’s surveillance activities were revealed by a mistake by the operatives.
Has DuckDuckGo delivered on its privacy promise? On the surface, one might conclude that the metasearch system has executed a slam duck. However, mashing a nerf ball through a hoop hanging on an office door is different from pulling off the stunt in the NBA finals.
Stephen E Arnold, January 25, 2018
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One Response to “DuckDuckGo: Delivering Privacy. That Is the Claim.”
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Fabolous post. Thanks for the share. I tremendously enjoyed reading this.