What we found
Google Search: FEvery Google search is stored and linked to your identity by default.
History stored indefinitely by default. Every query linked to account. Feeds $300B+ ad revenue. Auto-delete opt-in, buried in settings. Gemini AI processes queries. PRISM since 2009.
Bing: DEvery Bing search feeds into Microsoft's advertising network of 801 partners.
Queries linked to Microsoft account, IP, device IDs. First PRISM participant (2007). Same ecosystem: Outlook (801 ad partners), DiagTrack, Copilot AI. Edge sends keystrokes by default.
DuckDuckGo: CDuckDuckGo built its brand on blocking trackers.
May 2022: mobile browsers allowed Microsoft trackers (LinkedIn, Bing) due to ad syndication deal. CEO confirmed carve-out. Brave founder: 'revenue quid pro quo.' Fixed August 2022.
Startpage: CIn 2019, System1 — an American advertising technology company — quietly acquired a majority stake in Startpage, the "world's most private search engine." Nob...
Majority owned by System1 (American adtech) via Privacy One Group since 2018. Not disclosed until researchers found filings. PrivacyTools removed recommendation. Board includes System1 co-founder.
Brave Search: BBrave Search genuinely doesn't track you and runs its own index.
Independent index (genuine). No tracking. SOC 2 Type II. But: US jurisdiction. Parent company: affiliate link injection (2020), Brave Ads. Trust issues carry over.
Kagi: B+Kagi doesn't track you and built anonymous search tech.
No ads/tracking/telemetry. Privacy Pass makes anonymous search possible. But: US jurisdiction. No published audit. 'Will comply with valid legal requests.' Privacy Pass optional.