Follow Slashdot blog updates by subscribing to our blog RSS feed

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×
The Internet IT

DuckDuckGo's Browser Adds Encrypted, Privacy-Minded Syncing and Backup (arstechnica.com) 12

DuckDuckGo keeps adding new features to its browser; and while these features are common in other browsers, DuckDuckGo is giving them a privacy-minded twist. The latest is a private, end-to-end encrypted syncing service. There's no account needed, no sign-in, and the company says it never sees what you're syncing. From a report: Using QR codes and shortcodes, and a lengthy backup code you store somewhere safe, DuckDuckGo's browser can keep your bookmarks, passwords, "favorites" (i.e., new tab page shortcuts), and settings for its email protection service synced between devices and browsers. DuckDuckGo points to Google's privacy policy for using its signed-in sync service on Chrome, which uses "aggregated and anonymized synchronized browsing data to improve other Google products and services." DuckDuckGo states that the encryption key for browser sync is stored only locally on your devices and that it lacks any access to your passwords or other data.
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

DuckDuckGo's Browser Adds Encrypted, Privacy-Minded Syncing and Backup

Comments Filter:
  • by bagofbeans ( 567926 ) on Wednesday February 14, 2024 @01:52PM (#64239536)

    Our new Sync & Backup feature is designed with your privacy and security in mind. You donâ(TM)t need to create an account or sign in to use it, and DuckDuckGo never sees your bookmarks or passwords.

    Why is it so difficult to use explicitic wording? Designed with your privacy and security in mind? What does that mean? Either it's private and secure or it isn't.

    DuckDuckGo never sees your bookmarks or passwords. Okay. Can someone waving an NSL see them?

  • The stuff they offer is free, which raises the question: what is DDG's business model?

    I'm not saying their privacy claims are lies, but you gotta admit it does cast doubts. Because as the saying goes, when something is free, usually you're the product.

  • is this original or are they simply hosting a rebranded mozilla/Firefox sync? ... which does all that for the last ten years
    • Not really. The service as described by DDG strongly reminds me of old Mozilla Weave/Sync 1.1, which had a very sensible design from the security standpoint - your own encryption key never left your device, everything to be backed up was encrypted with it before being sent to the Mozilla servers, thus making your backups not readable to Mozilla. However, in Sync 1.5 and later they "upgraded" the service by integrating it with Firefox accounts. Your encryption key is stored on Mozilla servers now, as a part

If I want your opinion, I'll ask you to fill out the necessary form.

Working...