In May, security researcher Zach Edwards noted that DuckDuckGo allows Microsoft scripts from LinkedIn and Bing domains. Now, the privacy-focused browser says it will start blocking those scripts, as it does scripts from Google, Facebook and others.
Edwards said the exception was suspicious because DuckDuckGo has a partnership with Microsoft to deliver ads in its search engine. The browser says it does not use the data to create user profiles for targeted advertising.
At the time, DuckDuckGo’s CEO Gabe Weinberg said that the scripts were being allowed because of the partnership with Microsoft, and promised updates to block third-party tracking. The company faced backlash, with some using its own words that “tracking is tracking,” which the company used to criticize Google’s cookies alternative “privacy sandbox.”
In a recent blog post, Weinberg said: “I’ve heard from a number of users and understand that we didn’t meet their expectations around one of our browser’s web tracking protections.” He added that the company will be more transparent about its tracking protections.
However, the browser will still allow bat.bing.com scripts, which allow ads on the search engine. Weinberg said that users can prevent the scripts from loading by disabling ads in the settings. The company is also working on non-profiling tech to replace the need for scripts.
