Apple has been in talks with DuckDuckGo to replace Google as the default search engine for private browsing mode on its Safari browser. The details of these talks were revealed in transcripts unsealed by US District Judge Amit Mehta, who ruled that he would unseal the testimony of DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg and Apple executive John Giannandrea. Weinberg said that DuckDuckGo had about 20 meetings and phone calls with Apple executives, including the head of Safari, in 2018 and 2019. In private browsing mode, Safari doesn't track websites or keep a history of user access. Apple has integrated several of DuckDuckGo's other privacy technologies into Safari.

Why Apple exec said switching to DuckDuckGo is not a great idea

Apple's search executive, Giannandrea, contradicts DuckDuckGo CEO's testimony, which suggests Apple has not considered switching to DuckDuckGo for private browsing in Safari. Giannandrea, who joined Apple in 2018, stated that DuckDuckGo's marketing about privacy is incongruent with the details of the platform. DuckDuckGo relies on Bing for its search information, which could potentially provide Microsoft user information. If Apple were to switch to DuckDuckGo, Giannandrea would likely insist on more due diligence and would insist on doing more due diligence with the platform.