Many web browser companies offer VPNs these days, including Google, Mozilla, and Opera. DuckDuckGo is the latest addition, with a Privacy Pro plan that includes three services. Along with a VPN, you get personal data removal and identity theft recovery services for $10 per month or $100 per year. The subscription is initially only available in the USA. Privacy Pro features are built right into the DuckDuckGo browser, so you don’t need to install separate apps.
DuckDuckGo says it doesn’t keep VPN logs to protect user privacy. Therefore, it says that there is “no way to associate what you do while connected to the DuckDuckGo VPN with you as an individual – or with anything else you do on DuckDuckGo, for example Search.” DuckDuckGo uses the open source WireGuard protocol to encrypt your traffic and route it through VPN servers. The company currently has VPN servers in the USA, Europe and Canada. The plan is to add more over time.
One subscription covers up to five desktop and mobile devices. Instead of using an account, you have a random ID that you must keep secure. If you want, you can add an email address to make cross-device authorization easier. However, you don’t have to share any personal information with DuckDuckGo – the company uses Stripe, Google Play and the Apple App Store to process payments.
DuckDuckGo’s focus on protecting user privacy also extends to its Personal Information Removal tool, which removes details such as your full name, home address and birthday from people search sites and data broker services. The details you provide during the setup process remain on your device and requests to remove your personal information are initiated directly from your desktop (at the moment you need a Windows or Mac computer to set up the personal information removal tool and manage).
According to DuckDuckGo, this is a first for a service of its kind because your data is not stored on remote servers. To help build the tool, DuckDuckGo purchased data removal service Removaly in 2022. The personal data removal service periodically rescans websites and data brokers to see if your data resurfaces so that you can edit it accordingly.
When it comes to identity theft recovery services, DuckDuckGo connects you with an advisor from Iris, its partner if your identity is stolen. The advisor will help you recover stolen accounts and financial losses, as well as correct your credit report. In addition, they can help you cancel and replace important documents such as your driver’s license, bank cards and passport. Iris can also provide you with a cash advance if you are far from home and stuck due to identity theft.
Here, too, you do not have to provide any personal information in advance. You only need to share this information with an advisor if you need help after identity theft.
Extending privacy protections through these services is a logical way for DuckDuckGo to increase its profits. Privacy Pro also appears to be reasonably priced compared to some alternatives – Mozilla’s personal data removal service alone costs $9 per month.