What exact steps remove DuckDuckGo bookmarklets, saved settings, and Personal Information Removal data from a device?
Executive summary
Removing DuckDuckGo’s Personal Information Removal (PIR) data, any DuckDuckGo bookmarklets, and saved app/browser settings requires a combination of in-app/subscription actions and conventional browser or OS cleanup: canceling the PIR subscription or deleting the app removes PIR data stored on the device, while bookmarklets and browser-stored settings must be removed via the browser or OS controls themselves; sources indicate PIR data is kept locally and deleted on subscription cancellation, but do not provide a single “one‑click” sequence that covers every platform [1] [2] [3].
1. What DuckDuckGo says happens to Personal Information Removal data when subscription ends
DuckDuckGo documents that the personal information entered for its Personal Information Removal feature is stored locally on the user’s device and not uploaded to DuckDuckGo servers; the service automates opt‑outs from data brokers from that local dataset and scans sites on a schedule from the device itself [1]. Crucially, DuckDuckGo also states that if a user cancels their subscription, “any data that was stored on your device for Personal Information Removal” — including the names, locations, ages entered during setup — will be deleted [2]. DuckDuckGo notes it may briefly receive confirmation emails from data brokers during the removal flow but says those are deleted within 72 hours [2].
2. Exact step: cancel subscription (to delete PIR data) and confirm removal
Follow DuckDuckGo’s subscription cancellation process for the platform where the subscription was purchased; according to DuckDuckGo help, canceling the subscription causes the PIR data stored on the device to be deleted [2]. Users should verify in the DuckDuckGo browser dashboard that the Personal Information Removal entries are gone after cancellation and restart the device; DuckDuckGo’s help pages describe a dashboard showing ongoing removals and scan schedules while the subscription is active [1]. If evidence of remaining PIR entries exists or if data brokers continue to show removed records, DuckDuckGo recommends contacting subscriber support via their support form [4] [2].
3. Exact step: uninstall or delete the DuckDuckGo app (removes app and likely app‑local data on most OSes)
Deleting the DuckDuckGo app from a device removes the app binary and typically removes app‑specific local storage on mobile OSes when done through standard OS app deletion flows; community guidance for iPhone demonstrates tapping and holding the app icon and choosing Remove/Delete App to delete the DuckDuckGo app like any other [3]. Because DuckDuckGo explicitly says PIR data is stored locally, uninstalling the app is expected to remove the app and its local storage on that device, but users should rely on the subscription cancellation statement for guaranteed deletion of PIR entries [2] [1]. If the app was tied to an active subscription, cancel the subscription first to ensure DuckDuckGo’s stated deletion behavior applies [2].
4. Exact step: remove DuckDuckGo bookmarklets and saved browser settings
DuckDuckGo’s official pages do not detail bookmarklet or browser setting deletion, so browser/OS controls must be used: remove any bookmarklet by deleting the bookmark or shortcut in the browser (access the browser’s bookmarks or favorites manager and delete the entry), remove saved search engine defaults or extension settings in the browser preferences, and clear site data or cached pages if required. Because DuckDuckGo help focuses on PIR and app behavior rather than bookmarklets, these procedural browser steps are derived from standard browser management practices and are not documented in the DuckDuckGo PIR pages [1] [2].
5. Limitations, conflicts, and what to watch for
DuckDuckGo warns that PIR targets data brokers but cannot remove records from some sources (public records, news articles, social media) and may be unable to remove data from brokers that refuse opt‑outs; if brokers stop responding, DuckDuckGo may escalate or drop support for particular sites [5] [6]. Also, DuckDuckGo’s emphasis that removal happens on the device and that confirmation emails may be briefly routed through their systems is an explicit privacy design choice and a potential point of user concern; the company frames this as more private than server‑based services [1] [2]. Independent guides stress that ultimate removal from search results often requires deleting source content at the origin, since DuckDuckGo only indexes what other sites publish [7].