Privacy oriented search engine DuckDuckGo today released an updated version of its browser extension for desktop Safari users running macOS Catalina.

safari duckduckgo privacy extension
The launch comes after DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials had to be removed from the Safari extensions gallery following major changes introduced in Safari 12 that made the extension incompatible. From the DuckDuckGo website:

As you may be aware, major structural changes in Safari 12 meant that we had to remove DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials from the Safari extensions gallery. With Safari 13, new functionality was thankfully added that enabled us to put it back. Consequently, you'll need Safari 13+ on macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or newer to install the updated version.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials blocks hidden third-party trackers on websites and features a Privacy Dashboard, which generates a Privacy Grade rating (A-F) information card whenever a user visits a site. The rating aims to let them see at a glance how protected they are, while providing additional options to dig deeper into the details of blocked tracking attempts.

While the extension doesn't include private search, DuckDuckGo Search is built into Safari as a default search option, and they work together to help users search and browse privately.

DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials is only available for desktop browsers, however DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser is available for iOS and uses the same privacy protection technology.

Tags: Safari, Apple Privacy, DuckDuckGo

Top Rated Comments

Classie Avatar
Classie
34 months ago
DuckDuckGo is still quite a bit behind google when it comes to search results. I still use it as my primary engine, but sometimes have to switch to google...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Weaselboy Avatar
Weaselboy
34 months ago

Does the Safari browser extension and/or iOS app block ads, too?
I installed and did a test at cnn.com and it only blocks trackers and not ads.


DuckDuckGo is still quite a bit behind google when it comes to search results. I still use it as my primary engine, but sometimes have to switch to google...
https://www.startpage.com

Same here, but I uses StartPage for when I need Google results. You get Google results without going to the Google web page and being tracked.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Weaselboy Avatar
Weaselboy
34 months ago

So these extensions still work like this..?
Yep... exactly. It uses the Safari content blocker API in the background, but you just cannot see what it is doing like how many ads blocked and that sort of thing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UltraInstinct Avatar
UltraInstinct
34 months ago
Is this not a bit suspect..? ?

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Weaselboy Avatar
Weaselboy
34 months ago

Is this not a bit suspect..?
Not at all... any extension that has an end user accessible GUI like this needs access to your data like that to work. You can uncheck the dashboard part of the extension and the extension will still work, but you just won't see the widget up top showing what was blocked.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Weaselboy Avatar
Weaselboy
34 months ago

I see, I don't have any extensions so it was a bit of a shock. I see Adblock also says the same thing, how is it not dodgy them having access to passwords and CC details?
It is just not possible to have that GUI without the extension seeing that data. If you don't want them to have the data, just disable the GUI. For example the adblocker Wipr does not have that warning because they have no GUI to see what is blocked. 1Blocker on the other hand does have a GUI, so they do have the warning.

I guess you have to decide if you trust the company to see your data or not, but it is not something they are doing for no reason.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

home app ios 16

Apple Confirms iPad Will No Longer Be Supported as a Home Hub in iOS 16

Wednesday June 22, 2022 12:38 pm PDT by
The iPad will no longer be able to be used as a home hub following the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura, and the HomePod 16 software this fall, Apple confirmed today. As discovered in iOS 16 code by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, Apple says that the iPad will no longer be supported as a home hub. This information will be displayed in the Home app after updating to iOS 16.A home ...
Read Full Article • 165 comments
apple ar headset concept 2

Apple CEO Tim Cook Hints at AR/VR Headset: 'Stay Tuned and You'll See What We Have to Offer'

Wednesday June 22, 2022 6:34 pm PDT by
CEO Tim Cook this week did an interview with China Daily, where he once again commented on on the future of augmented reality and hinted at Apple's work on an AR/VR headset. Render via designer Ian Zelbo Cook said that Apple is excited about the opportunities available with augmented reality, which is not too far off from prior comments that he's made, but he went on to say that people should ...
Read Full Article • 149 comments
customize wallpaper setting ios 16

iOS 16 Beta 2 Tidbits: New Wallpaper Colors, Backup Over LTE, SMS Filtering and More

Wednesday June 22, 2022 2:16 pm PDT by
Apple today seeded the second betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to developers for testing purposes, and the new betas introduce new features and refine some of the changes that Apple made with the first iOS 16 release. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Lock Screen Photo Wallpaper Customization When customizing a photo on the Lock Screen, there are two new DuoTone and...
Read Full Article • 59 comments
Shazam Music Recognition Control Center

iPhone's Built-In Music Recognition Feature Syncs With Shazam App on iOS 16

Tuesday June 21, 2022 7:37 am PDT by
Since the release of iOS 14.2 in 2020, the iPhone has included a built-in Music Recognition feature in Control Center powered by Shazam. And with iOS 16, and also the iOS 15.6 beta, the feature has received a small but useful upgrade. As noted by Twitter user @someone_andrew, songs identified with Music Recognition in Control Center finally sync with the Shazam app. It also remains...
Read Full Article • 39 comments
2022 back to school apple

Apple Launches 2022 Back to School Offer: Up to $150 Gift Card With Mac or iPad

Friday June 24, 2022 5:08 am PDT by
Apple today launched its annual "Back to School" promotion for college/university students in the United States and Canada. This year's promotion offers a free Apple gift card with the purchase of an eligible Mac or iPad, rather than free AirPods like last year. Apple is also offering students 20% off AppleCare+ plans during the promotion. Apple is offering a $150 gift card with the purchase ...
Read Full Article • 114 comments
ios 16 lock screen feature2

Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to Developers

Wednesday June 22, 2022 10:07 am PDT by
Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple unveiled the new software at WWDC and released the initial betas. Registered developers can download the iOS and iPadOS 16 profiles from the Apple Developer Center, and once installed, the betas will be available over the air. Given...
Read Full Article • 60 comments
apple ar headset concept 1

Apple Rumored to Announce 'Game-Changer' AR/VR Headset in January 2023

Friday June 24, 2022 2:52 am PDT by
Apple is "likely" to announce its long-rumored mixed-reality headset as soon as January 2023, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has reiterated. Concept render based on purported leaked information by Ian Zelbo In a detailed post on Medium, Kuo explained that Apple's headset will be a "game-changer" for the augmented-reality and virtual-reality market. Describing some of the headset's...
Read Full Article • 93 comments