DuckDuckGo Launches Web Tracking Protection to Combat Microsoft Tracking Scripts

DuckDuckGo is implementing a new privacy feature after some critics blasted the browser because of an exemption.

Previously, it has only blocked the trackers from Google and Facebook but not from Microsoft. This time, it will now apply privacy protection to the latter.

DuckDuckGo Blocks Microsoft Scripts

The online commotion went louder back in May when DuckDuckGo rolled out a stricter take on blocking scripts on several websites. At the time, it had not yet put any restriction on Microsoft's scripts, so it's still exempted from third-party tracking.

However, as The Verge reported on Friday, Aug.5, the increased protection is now applicable to Microsoft trackers. This will be effective next week in iOS and Android browser extensions and software.

"This web tracking protection is not offered by most other popular browsers by default and sits on top of many other DuckDuckGo web tracking protections. This all means our browsing apps and extensions currently offer more protection against Microsoft trackers by default than Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and more," DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg said.

At the time when the backlash took place, Weinberg cited that the company's "search syndication agreement" with Microsoft was the reason behind the online commotion. He added that DuckDuckGo would also implement new updates as part of the third-party tracking prevention.

Furthermore, the founder knew many users were disappointed with the browser's privacy-focused feature. Weinberg stated that they did not meet their expectations from their customers.

To foster transparency on its browser protection, Weinberg said that users could direct to the new help page of DuckDuckGo if they have questions about tracking protection. They will also roll out blocklists for trackers so users will know about the update.

Aside from that, users are encouraged to submit reports if they are experiencing bugs and other issues when using the privacy-centered browser.

Some websites are reportedly inserting Microsoft scripts into the browser, and they are not trackable. Having said that, DuckDuckGo won't be able to retrieve any information about it because of the exemption.

DuckDuckGo Private Ad Conversions

Although DuckDuckGo is not tied up anymore with Microsoft, Weinberg says that advertising can still happen in the browser. The latter has no right to detect users who use ads on the platform.

Usually, advertisers rely on Microsoft scripts that they get from bat.bing.com domain. The reason behind this is that they want to have an idea if there are ad conversions on the site, per 9to5Mac.

Before, DuckDuckGo would just allow this to pass since the third-party tracker loading protection still allowed these trackers. Weinberg advised that those who want to dodge "blocked requests" on the website could go to the browser's search settings to disable the ads.

The company listed the blocked Microsoft domains in line with the new changes.

• adnxs.com
• adnxs-simple.com
• adsymptotic.com
• adv-cloudfilse.azureedge.net
• app-fnsp-matomo-analytics-prod.azurewebsites.net
• azure.com
• azure.net
• bing.com
• cdnnwlive.azureedge.net
• clarity.ms
• dynamics.com
• fp-cdn.azureedge.net
• licdn.com
• linkedin.com
• live-tfs-omnilytics.azurewebsites.net
• msecnd.net
• nlo-stl-web.azureedge.net
• nuance.com
• pestcontrol-uc1.azureedge.net
• sdtagging.azureedge.net
• serviceschipotlecom.trafficmanager.net

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry