I have used SearXNG for a while, but I switched to LibreX after the search engine started glitching. Recently, though, LibreX has stopped returning any results. I am currently on Mojeek, but the results aren’t that great.

I have also tried Qwant, but I wasn’t too keen on it. Startpage will be impractical, as I use a VPN and this engine often blocks me because of it. I don’t want to use Brave Search for a number of reasons. MetaGer has too many important features behind its paywall. I’m not sure about DuckDuckGo, but I could use it if there was no other option.

Any suggestions, or am I being too picky?

You are viewing a single thread.
View all comments
51 points

Why are people so against DDG here? Just wondering because I use it and think it’s fine

permalink
report
reply
1 point

I’m here because I’m trying to figure out why dog is giving me curated location based results instead of the actual results, even though I have my region set to all regions.

So I’m not recommending them because their product has gotten worse.e

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

I’m not sure this is really a solvable problem but at the end of the day, DuckDuckGo is a for profit corporation. Privacy is more of a marketing angle than something they actually care about. Last year they allowed Microsoft to track mobile users of their “privacy focused” browser which is obviously against their stated purpose for existing. They backtracked after facing backlash but it’s done lasting damage to their reputation. They also got caught by a security researcher, they weren’t at all upfront about it. I think that’s enough to shatter any hope that they are genuine or trustworthy.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

Because it’s just a proxy for Bing, with all the pitfalls of that.

permalink
report
parent
reply
8 points

DDG is basically Bing

permalink
report
parent
reply
19 points

They track their users, even though not tracking users is supposed to be their thing.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Anything US based should be avoided.

permalink
report
parent
reply
12 points

General good practice

permalink
report
parent
reply

US-based meaning 3 letter agencies can get your data without a court order and that you aren’t protected by the GDPR if you don’t live in the EU

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

I’m wondering the same. ddg has been great for me.

permalink
report
parent
reply

US is a big red flag

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point
Deleted by creator
permalink
report
parent
reply
-16 points
*

I think they got bought out by Microsoft or something, so naturally people are weary of it now.

permalink
report
parent
reply
20 points

They use bing results but they most certainly weren’t bought by Microsoft. They have a deal with Microsoft to use their results without tracking. At least to my knowledge. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

They had been contractually obligated to allow certain MS ad cookies/trackers as part of a big money deal, but I believe they were able to get those requirements removed and it’s actually zero trackers now.

permalink
report
parent
reply
6 points

Oh right, thanks I wasn’t sure I just knew they made some deal with Microsoft

permalink
report
parent
reply

Privacy

!privacy@lemmy.ml

Create post

A place to discuss privacy and freedom in the digital world.

Privacy has become a very important issue in modern society, with companies and governments constantly abusing their power, more and more people are waking up to the importance of digital privacy.

In this community everyone is welcome to post links and discuss topics related to privacy.

Some Rules

  • Posting a link to a website containing tracking isn’t great, if contents of the website are behind a paywall maybe copy them into the post
  • Don’t promote proprietary software
  • Try to keep things on topic
  • If you have a question, please try searching for previous discussions, maybe it has already been answered
  • Reposts are fine, but should have at least a couple of weeks in between so that the post can reach a new audience
  • Be nice :)

Related communities

much thanks to @gary_host_laptop for the logo design :)

Community stats

  • 4.8K

    Monthly active users

  • 2.9K

    Posts

  • 79K

    Comments