DuckDuckGo, privacy focused search engine chooses Apple Maps for Location Searches

After hogging the headlines solely by promoting their privacy policy during CES 2019 despite not participating in it, Apple’s claims are somewhat seconded by privacy focused search engine, DuckDuckGo, who has now joined hands with Apple ‘to set a new standard of trust online’. DuckDuckGo plans to integrate Apple’s JS feature in its search algorithm, to enable location-based searches on both desktop and mobile. The Apple's MapKit JS framework will now offer users the same benefits available in Apple devices worldwide - improved address searches, upgraded visual features, enhanced satellite imagery, and continually updated maps. Through this, DuckDuckGo users will now be able to search for specific addresses, geographical locations, local businesses and places nearby.  

Also read: Apple CEO Backs Privacy Laws, Warns Data Being ‘Weaponized’

Known for protecting users’ data and not sharing them with third-parties, DuckDuckGo has confirmed that this new feature will not affect its core offering and value proposition – online privacy. It has emphasized that it will not collect granular data from users like IP addresses, even when they use this new feature. User’s anonymity, the company says, will be protected and respected profusely.  

“You are still anonymous when you perform map and address-related searches on DuckDuckGo. Even if you opt-in to sharing a more accurate location, your searches will still be completely anonymous.” the search engine confirmed in an official blog post. 

With online privacy becoming a major cause of concern in recent times, especially in light of the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal, many users are reluctant to divulge details about their personal lives with media companies. Many tech companies, like Apple have openly spoken up in favor of respecting user privacy. DuckDuckGo distinguishes itself from other search engines by not profiling its users and by showing all users the same search results for a given search term. Based in Pennsylvania, US, the company was founded in 2011 and currently conducts almost 30 million searches daily.  

Also read: Here's How Cambridge Analytica Accessed Data Of More Than Half A Million Indians Through Facebook

It will be interesting to note how this partnership with Apple goes for DuckDuckGo, and whether this new feature helps in increasing the overall search engine popularity.