DuckDuckGo, a company renowned for its privacy-focused search engine, has launched its browser for Windows users. Initially available only for macOS, the DuckDuckGo Browser is now accessible in an open beta version for Windows, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey.
The DuckDuckGo Browser is designed with privacy at its core. Unlike other browsers, it doesn’t collect or share user data with third parties by default. It offers a suite of features that ensure a secure and private browsing experience, making it a compelling alternative to mainstream browsers like Chrome or Edge.
One of the standout features of the DuckDuckGo Browser is the Duck Player. This unique tool allows users to watch YouTube videos without ads and without influencing future video recommendations from Google. This feature is a game-changer for users who want to enjoy their favorite videos without interruptions or privacy concerns.
The DuckDuckGo Browser goes beyond providing a secure browsing experience. It offers a built-in password manager that not only takes care of all your passwords but can also suggest secure passwords for any new online service you might want to use.
Moreover, it includes a feature that allows you to use a @duck.com domain if you want to subscribe to online services while keeping your real email address hidden. There’s also a Fire button that quickly deletes your browsing data, ensuring your online activities remain private.
The DuckDuckGo Browser uses approximately 60% less traffic compared to Google Chrome. It blocks tracking, encrypts a significant portion of traffic, disables all tracking services, and hides intrusive ads. It even removes empty spaces on web pages where ads were previously placed by other ad blockers.
In the coming months, DuckDuckGo plans to add more features to its Windows browser to achieve feature parity with the macOS version. This includes additional privacy features such as link tracking protection and referrer tracking protection.
Despite its many advantages, the DuckDuckGo Browser currently does not support extensions. However, the developers have promised to rectify this in future updates.
