Privacy-focused search engine and browser company. Does not track users or build advertising profiles. Over 100 million global users. Founded by Gabriel Weinberg.
DuckDuckGo has donated over $3.65 million to organizations focused on privacy and digital rights including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Freedom of the Press Foundation, Tor Project, and others. The company has been making annual donations since 2011 as part of its commitment to the privacy ecosystem.
In 2021, DuckDuckGo launched its Email Protection service, providing users with a free @duck.com email address that strips tracking pixels and hidden trackers from incoming emails before forwarding them. The service extended DuckDuckGo's privacy mission beyond search into email communications.
In May 2022, security researcher Zach Edwards discovered that DuckDuckGo's mobile browser was allowing Microsoft tracking scripts on third-party sites due to a search syndication agreement. CEO Gabriel Weinberg confirmed this was contractual. After significant public backlash, DuckDuckGo announced in August 2022 that it would block Microsoft trackers as well, expanding its tracker blocking to cover all companies.
By January 2021, DuckDuckGo reached over 100 million daily search queries, growing from about 62 million in January 2020. The growth was driven by increasing public concern about online privacy and data collection by major tech companies. DuckDuckGo does not track users, store search histories, or create user profiles.