Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo announced a new subscription plan aimed at bolstering online security and anonymity.
The plan, which costs $9.99 per month or $99 per year, is currently available only to people in the U.S.
Privacy Pro bundles three new protections from DuckDuckGo into one easy subscription. Subscribers get:
- An anonymous VPN built for speed, security, and simplicity. Secure your connection anytime, anywhere, on up to five devices simultaneously.
- Personal Information Removal, which finds and removes personal details – like your name and home address – from data broker sites that store and sell them, helping to combat identity theft and spam.
- Identity Theft Restoration. If your identity is stolen, a dedicated advisor will help restore stolen accounts, assist in recovering resulting financial losses, and help correct your credit report.
VPN
The VPN seamlessly integrates with DuckDuckGo’s existing protections, including App Tracking Protection on Android. It utilizes the fast and secure WireGuard protocol and offers servers in the US, Europe, and Canada.
For added security, DNS queries are also routed through the VPN, shielding browsing activity from ISPs.
Personal Information Removal
DuckDuckGo acquired Removaly, a company specializing in navigating complex data broker opt-out processes. The Personal Information Removal tool regularly re-scans sites for your data and your device manages all removal requests. Progress can be tracked through a dashboard on the DuckDuckGo browser.
Currently, the dashboard is only accessible from the primary Mac or Windows computer where it’s set up, but viewing from other devices is planned.
Identity Theft Restoration
DuckDuckGo is expanding its privacy protection suite with a new feature addressing the growing problem of identity theft. The company has partnered with Iris Powered by Generali, a leading identity theft specialist, to offer comprehensive “Identity Theft Restoration” as part of their Privacy Pro subscription.
Identity theft remains a significant concern, impacting millions in the US annually. While DuckDuckGo’s existing tools help minimize exposure, the new feature provides essential support if a user’s identity is compromised.
Iris provides 24/7 expert support accessible to DuckDuckGo subscribers whose identities have been stolen. Their services include:
- Credit Repair: Freezing credit, reversing fraudulent transactions, and restoring credit reports.
- Document Replacement: Facilitating the replacement of driver’s licenses, passports, bank cards, and more.
- Travel Support: Emergency cash advances while away from home, assistance with fraudulent activity reporting while abroad.
- Medical Claims: Correcting inaccurate medical records and resolving fraudulent insurance claims.
- Out-of-Pocket Expense Coverage: Potential reimbursement for costs associated with identity theft restoration.
Privacy Pro is available for $9.99/month or $99/year; your subscription will auto-renew monthly or annually, depending on the payment terms selected, until canceled. If you subscribed via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you can manage your subscription and payment methods there. If you subscribed via our website, you’ll manage your account from the DuckDuckGo browser’s Settings instead.
