DuckDuckGo launches standalone web browser for Mac in beta

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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Privacy-focused company DuckDuckGo is adding to its existing iOS version with a new Mac web browser, currently in beta.




DuckDuckGo announced its intention to create a macOS web browser in December 2021, and it is now opening a beta test version.

"Privacy isn't something you only need in certain situations or in partial amounts, and it's a myth that you can't have the same Internet you like and need, but with more privacy," says the company in a blog post. "At DuckDuckGo, we make privacy simple."

"Like our mobile app, DuckDuckGo for Mac is an all-in-one privacy solution for everyday browsing," it continues, "with no complicated settings, just a seamless private experience."

It aims to avoid complicated settings in part by having privacy features enabled from the start. In-app data such as history, bookmarks, and passwords "are only stored locally on your device."

As well as a private search engine, DuckDuckGo for Mac includes a "powerful tracker blocker," as well as cookie pop-up protection, and "one-click data clearing."

DuckDuckGo uses WebKit, the same rendering engine that Safari has. The company claims that this means even with its security features, the beta Mac version of DuckDuckGo is "already faster" than Chrome.

The company is now adding new beta testers. To join the waiting list, see the company's full instructions.

There's no announced launch date for the final Mac version. However, the company says it intends to then work on the Windows edition later this year.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 11
    mac_dogmac_dog Posts: 1,069member
    Can’t wait to try it. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 11
    ensoniqensoniq Posts: 131member
    Their instructions say to look for a specific spot in Settings that doesn't exist on my iPad or iPhone version of the DuckDuckGo app.  I am updated to the latest version.

    Did they perhaps jump the gun before Apple released a newer update that enables the opt-in feature?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 11
    tifosi01tifosi01 Posts: 4member
    ensoniq said:
    Their instructions say to look for a specific spot in Settings that doesn't exist on my iPad or iPhone version of the DuckDuckGo app.  I am updated to the latest version.

    Did they perhaps jump the gun before Apple released a newer update that enables the opt-in feature?
    In settings scroll down and just below the "Open Links In Associated Apps" toggle is "More From DuckDuckGo" you'll see "Email Protection" and "DuckDuckGo Desktop App", thats where you can opt in for the desktop browser wait list
    ensoniqFileMakerFellerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 11
    ensoniqensoniq Posts: 131member
    tifosi01 said:
    In settings scroll down and just below the "Open Links In Associated Apps" toggle is "More From DuckDuckGo" you'll see "Email Protection" and "DuckDuckGo Desktop App", thats where you can opt in for the desktop browser wait list
    Thanks Tifosi!

    I had version 7.66.1.0 on my iPad and iPhone, and the App Store said I was up to date.

    When I deleted DuckDuckGo from my devices and downloaded again, I now have 7.66.2.1.

    With the newer version, I now see exactly what you mentioned.  Thanks for the guidance!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 11
    SHKSHK Posts: 25member
    Question: Why is this even needed now that Private Relay is available? It seems to me Private Relay offers all of this and more. Can anyone briefly (and factually) compare DDG to PR?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 11
    9secondkox29secondkox2 Posts: 2,727member
    SHK said:
    Question: Why is this even needed now that Private Relay is available? It seems to me Private Relay offers all of this and more. Can anyone briefly (and factually) compare DDG to PR?
    It's all about choice and who you trust.

    Apple talks a lot about privacy, but then secretly scanning your photos (regardless of stated good intentions) leads to a sense of distrust.

    More choice is good.
  • Reply 7 of 11
    foregoneconclusionforegoneconclusion Posts: 2,689member
    9secondkox2 said: Apple talks a lot about privacy, but then secretly scanning your photos (regardless of stated good intentions) leads to a sense of distrust.
    It's not a secret if it's in the terms and conditions that you have to agree to before using iCloud. 
    netroxwatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 8 of 11
    SHKSHK Posts: 25member
    Well, I've been very happy with Private Relay. The speed has continued to improve since its rollout so I see no downside to it or any reason for a VPN or different browser, etc.
    I know for some people there's never enough "privacy" but I'm good with it.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 9 of 11
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,886member
    SHK said:
    Question: Why is this even needed now that Private Relay is available? It seems to me Private Relay offers all of this and more. Can anyone briefly (and factually) compare DDG to PR?
    It's all about choice and who you trust.

    Apple talks a lot about privacy, but then secretly scanning your photos (regardless of stated good intentions) leads to a sense of distrust.
    Hmm there is no secret scanning of photos. All cloud providers already CSAM scan all images placed onto their servers - Google, MS, Twitter, Dropbox, Apple, etc, applying the exact same criteria as the discussed on-device-scanning. The fact that we're discussing iCloud Photos client-side scanning for images prior to uploading, debunks the claim that it's secret. Whether the scan happens client-side, or server-side, no cloud provider is going to allow child porn to be hosted. If doing the child porn scan on-device allows me to have E2E encrypted iCloud Photos, that's a value-add w/ no tangible downside. (Hyperbolic arguments of forced gov't misuse are non-sensical, as gov'ts could already and more-easily force such misuse on server-side scanning, than on our devices.)
    edited April 2022 netroxwatto_cobrajony0
  • Reply 10 of 11
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,213member
    StrangeDays said:
    SHK said:
    Question: Why is this even needed now that Private Relay is available? It seems to me Private Relay offers all of this and more. Can anyone briefly (and factually) compare DDG to PR?
    It's all about choice and who you trust.

    Apple talks a lot about privacy, but then secretly scanning your photos (regardless of stated good intentions) leads to a sense of distrust.
    Hmm there is no secret scanning of photos. All cloud providers already CSAM scan all images placed onto their servers. If doing the child porn scan on-device allows me to have E2E encrypted iCloud Photos, that's a value-add w/ no tangible downside. (Hyperbolic arguments of forced gov't misuse are non-sensical, as gov'ts could already and more-easily force such misuse on server-side scanning, than on our devices.)
    Of course Apple iCloud Photos are NOT end-to-end encrypted AFAIK, and there's been no announcement from Apple of plans to do so. For a service where sharing and linking of photos with others is allowed it would seem problematic to make them E2EE.
    muthuk_vanalingam
  • Reply 11 of 11
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,213member
    Huh, perhaps not as free of data collection and tracking as was thought.

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

    “while DuckDuckGo blocks Google and Facebook trackers, it allowed Microsoft trackers to continue running.”

    That's by design and required by contractual agreement with Microsoft.

    Read the rest of the article at the link.

    edited May 2022 muthuk_vanalingam
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