A privacy oriented alternative to Google

cantaloupe · 02-02-2009, 09:41 PM

Google and most other top search engines, as you may know, keep records
of searches and the associated ip addresses for an indefinite period and use that info as they wish, allowing the searcher no opportunity to know how it has been used or to erase it. The potential for legal, quasi-legal and illegal use of this info by governments and others is enormous, to state the obvious.
If privacy , or the lack of it, is a concern for you , please be aware that there is an alternative. The search engine http://www.ixquick.com is based in the Netherlands . On July 14, 2008 ixquick was awarded the first EU privacy seal. At that point it was their policy to delete search records after 48 hours. As of 1/28/09 it is their policy not to record your IP address AT ALL!!!!!!
Google was given the lowest privacy classification according to selected criteria you can learn more about on the site, having been deemed hostile to privacy concerns. It may be naive to think that just quitting Google could clear up these concerns, but we have to start beheading this hydra at some point. I hope we don't get seven more Googles in its place. Peace, Cantaloupe

02-02-2009, 09:41 PM	#1
cantaloupe Avalon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 151	A privacy oriented alternative to Google Google and most other top search engines, as you may know, keep records of searches and the associated ip addresses for an indefinite period and use that info as they wish, allowing the searcher no opportunity to know how it has been used or to erase it. The potential for legal, quasi-legal and illegal use of this info by governments and others is enormous, to state the obvious. If privacy , or the lack of it, is a concern for you , please be aware that there is an alternative. The search engine http://www.ixquick.com is based in the Netherlands . On July 14, 2008 ixquick was awarded the first EU privacy seal. At that point it was their policy to delete search records after 48 hours. As of 1/28/09 it is their policy not to record your IP address AT ALL!!!!!! Google was given the lowest privacy classification according to selected criteria you can learn more about on the site, having been deemed hostile to privacy concerns. It may be naive to think that just quitting Google could clear up these concerns, but we have to start beheading this hydra at some point. I hope we don't get seven more Googles in its place. Peace, Cantaloupe