DuckDuckGo browser blocks all trackers except the ones coming from Microsoft
DuckDuckGo browsers in iOS and Android block all trackers except the ones coming from Microsoft.
DuckDuckGo browsers in iOS and Android are blocking all trackers but not the ones from Microsoft, and this includes Bing and LinkedIn Ads. The researcher Zach Edwards found this last month and published the findings on Twitter.
PrivacyTests.org website had the same conclusions for iOS browsers and Android browsers.
Advertisers that want to target DuckDuckGo browsers may need to use Microsoft Ads. When trackers are blocked by browsers, ads do not load, and publishers are not able to monetize their websites. By not being blocked in DuckDuckGo app browsers, Microsoft may be able to build insights and audiences based on browser usage.
DuckDuckGo clarified in the Apple App Store that is prevented from blocking the trackers from Microsoft due to contractual restrictions.
DuckDuckGo's CEO confirmed on Twitter:
Apologies -- the requirements imposed on us are confusing! On non-MSFT domains, our browsers are allowed to block their 3rd party cookies (and do), but the search syndication requirements currently prevent us from doing more than that, which we are working to change.
— Gabriel Weinberg (@yegg) May 23, 2022