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:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

Comments

One Response to “DuckDuckGo: Delivering Privacy. That Is the Claim.”

  1. Al Salvey on February 6th, 2018 12:30 am

    Fabolous post. Thanks for the share. I tremendously enjoyed reading this.

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