DuckDuckGo calls out Google for spying on users

DuckDuckGo uses Apple's App privacy label to mock Google's practice of tracking and storing user-data on phones and other devices.

After more than two months of delay, Google finally complied with Apple’s new privacy policy which made it mandatory for apps to declare what and how much user information is tracked and collected, to users on Apple App Store.

In late February 2021, Google published the privacy label related to Gmail. As expected, it raised a lot of eyebrows over the vast amount of user-data is being collected by the search engine giant. As per the note on Apple App Store, the Gmail app tracks all the purchases, browsing history not just in the email inbox but also in other third-party apps such as text messages, photos or videos, audio data, customer support, and other user content.

Recently, Google Chrome and Google search apps too revealed how much user information is being quantified and collated to link the user's profile for product personalization. The company collects location, user's audio data, contact details, device information, browsing history, financial info (payment transaction conducted on the app), statistics related to app crash, and more (full information in the screen-shot below).

Google Chrome's app privacy label on Apple App Store

Taking note of the aforementioned disclosure, rival DuckDuckGo, known for championing the searchers' privacy, has panned Google for spying on the people.

Google Search app's privacy label on Apple App Store

"After months of stalling, Google finally revealed how much personal data they collect in Chrome and the Google app. No wonder they wanted to hide it. Spying on users has nothing to do with building a great web browser or search engine. We would know (our app is both in one)," DuckDuckGo said on Twitter.

DuckDuckGo app privacy label on Apple App Store

It just not Google, even Amazon, Facebook (also owns WhatsApp and Instagram), and other major apps on both iOS and Android platforms, collect a vast amount of user information. They claim to use the information to improve user-experience on their apps.

Must watch: How tech companies track users online

But, it is all but a sham; in reality, they use the data to create a custom profile of the user and sell the information to the highest bidder (mostly to product brands and ad agencies) and flood the users with targeted ads.

Must read | Apple launches easy-to-understand privacy labels for all apps

It can be noted that last week US district court ruled that the search engine giant "did not notify users that Google engages in the alleged data collection while the user is in private browsing mode." The three US petitioners accused Google of conducting pervasive data tracking business.

Must read | Google to face lawsuit for tracking Chrome users even in incognito mode

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