DuckDuckGo will now block Microsoft scripts in their browsers too, after controversy

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Published onAugust 5, 2022

published onAugust 5, 2022

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In May, we saw DuckDuckGo receive backlash from some users over its syndication agreement with Microsoft because itdid not block Microsoft data flows, for LinkedIn or Bing. DuckDuckGo’s CEO, Gabriel Weinberg addressed the issues and indicated that they blocked most third-party trackers, however, their partnership with Microsoft limited their reach as far as Microsoft-owned properties were concerned.

But as it now appears, DuckDuckGo will nowstart blocking Microsoft tracking scripts on third-party websitestoo. This will expand its 3rd-Party Tracker Loading Protection, which already blocks identified tracking scripts from Facebook, Google, and other companies from loading on third-party websites.

With this system in place, users will be able to have some level of control as DuckDuckGo’s 3rd-Party Tracker Loading Protection will prevent 3rd-party trackers from launching completely. In turn, this reduces your susceptibility to security breaches where attackers are able to establish your IP address as well as other identifiers that come with loading requests that generally expose you to profiling. Ultimately enhancing your security.

Gabriel Weinberg further indicated in theblog postthat, “we were limited in how we could apply our 3rd-Party Tracker Loading Protection on Microsoft tracking scripts due to a policy requirement related to our use of Bing as a source for our private search results. We’re glad this is no longer the case. We have not had, and do not have, any similar limitation with any other company”. He further indicated that Microsoft scripts were not embedded in the user’s search engine or applications and that they did not receive any personal information regarding users from this premise.

But as spotted byThe Verge, DuckDuckGo will not block scripts for bat.bing.com that load directly after a user clicks on ad (this is not applicable in other cases) because they are used on advertisers’ sites to measure the level of ad effectiveness. However, you can opt out of this arrangement by choosing to disable ads via the browser’s search settings.

Despite its partnership with Microsoft when it comes to advertising, viewing of the ads will remain anonymous and Microsoft has further ascertained that users will not be profiled based on the ad clicks they make. The information gathered will be strictlyrestricted to accounting:

Advertising on DuckDuckGo is done in partnership with Microsoft. Viewing ads on DuckDuckGo is anonymous, and Microsoft hascommittedto not profile our users on ad clicks: “when you click on a Microsoft-provided ad that appears on DuckDuckGo, Microsoft Advertising does not associate your ad-click behavior with a user profile. It also does not store or share that information other than for accounting purposes.”

DuckDuckGo is also working on “an architecture for private ad conversions” which will help sever its ties and dependence on bat.bing.com when it comes to establishing the effectiveness of ads, instead, have it externally validated as non-profiling.

The browser strives to raise the standard of trust online by maximizing the user’s privacy. As such, they have publicized their browser extensions and non-beta apps and the tracker protection list as well as their Tracker Radar. This is an attempt to establish openness where users should be able to lodge complaints whenever they are faced with an issue, what’s more, they have introduced a new web page where you canlearn more about web tracking protection.

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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Radu Tyrsina

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