What specific types of user data does DuckDuckGo explicitly say it does not collect or store?
Executive summary
DuckDuckGo’s public-facing privacy materials and multiple third‑party reviews consistently say the company does not collect or retain personal search histories, does not create user profiles for targeting, and avoids storing identifying data such as IP addresses and persistent cross‑site tracking cookies [1] [2] [3]. Company statements and secondary reporting emphasize anonymization and a “no‑tracking” stance while noting limited, aggregated trend data may be used to improve services [4] [1].
1. What DuckDuckGo explicitly says it does not collect: search histories and personal user data
DuckDuckGo’s policy and reviewers state the company “does not collect or store personal user data” and that it does not retain information tying searches to individual users or build long‑term search histories associated with identities [3] [1]. Multiple explainers repeat that DuckDuckGo treats each search as anonymous and does not connect queries to specific user identities [1] [4].
2. No user profiles or targeted‑ad profiling: a core marketing claim
The company and analyses repeatedly contrast DuckDuckGo with major ad platforms by saying it does not create the comprehensive, persistent user profiles used for targeted advertising. Review coverage explicitly states DuckDuckGo “doesn’t even have the capability to create user profiles because they simply don’t collect the data in the first place” [2]. Industry summaries frame DuckDuckGo’s ad approach as contextual rather than profile‑based [5].
3. IP addresses, cookies and cross‑session tracking — what reporting says
Several third‑party pieces assert that DuckDuckGo does not log IP addresses and avoids using persistent cookies that would track users across sessions, serving results without tying activity to personal identifiers [3] [1]. Reporters also say DuckDuckGo uses “anonymous cookies” and blocks third‑party trackers when possible [1] [3].
4. Exceptions and limited data uses the sources mention
Sources make clear DuckDuckGo does still collect some limited signals to operate and improve service: aggregated search trends and non‑identifying telemetry are collected to spot rising queries or improve indexes, and optional features (like Email Protection) require user‑provided information that is explained separately [6] [4]. DuckDuckGo’s November 2025 policy update is described as covering “anonymously improving our own search indexes,” signalling collection of de‑identified data for product improvement [6] [4].
5. How DuckDuckGo describes anonymization and “no‑tracking” in practice
Reporting and policy summaries emphasize that DuckDuckGo “anonymizes at the earliest point of collection” and adopts a strict “no‑tracking” posture; these claims are repeated in 2025 tracking‑policy analyses that highlight enhanced anonymization techniques [7] [4]. Reviewers note DuckDuckGo avoids building per‑user profiles by design, which limits its ability to personalize based on a persistent identity [2].
6. Independent reporting vs. company phrasing — where nuance matters
Independent reviews and privacy sites reiterate DuckDuckGo’s core claims but add practical caveats: the company may temporarily use some data to provide features and uses anonymous, aggregated trend data [1] [3]. Third‑party summaries also describe improved encryption, cookie management, and transparency reporting as part of the 2025 updates — framing these as enhancements to minimize residual data exposure rather than contradictory collection practices [5] [7].
7. What the available sources do not discuss
Available sources do not mention detailed technical proofs or independent audits confirming every aspect of DuckDuckGo’s claims; they also do not provide exhaustive logs of what ephemeral telemetry might be captured in real‑time (not found in current reporting). Where optional features require personal information, the company says it documents those cases separately [6].
8. Bottom line — a useful privacy posture, with tradeoffs
DuckDuckGo explicitly says it does not collect or store personal search histories, does not build user profiles for targeted ads, and avoids logging identifying data like IP addresses or persistent tracking cookies, while relying on aggregated, anonymized signals to run and improve its service [1] [3] [4]. That stance offers stronger baseline privacy than profile‑driven search engines, but reviewers and the company acknowledge limited, de‑identified data collection and optional features that require personal information — details users should review in the company’s policy and feature‑specific notices before opting in [6] [4].