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Merge pull request #385 from duckduckgo/tgibbs/update-local-results
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Update local results
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tara-gibbs authored Aug 9, 2024
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71 changes: 25 additions & 46 deletions _docs/privacy/anonymous-localized-results.md
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---

<p>
At DuckDuckGo, we don’t track you, ever. That’s our privacy policy in a nutshell. For example, we do not create unique cookies and, more generally, architect our product so that we do not even have the ability to create a search or browsing history for any individual — it’s privacy by design.
</p>
At DuckDuckGo, we don’t track you, ever. That’s our [Privacy Policy](https://duckduckgo.com/privacy) in a nutshell. For example, we do not create unique cookies and architect our product so that we do not even have the ability to create a search or browsing history for any individual — it’s privacy by design.

<p>
At the same time, searchers often need accurate location-based results like local weather and restaurants. Interestingly, we can actually serve results (including instant answers and ads) for searches like these while still keeping you anonymous.
</p>
There may be cases when you want more accurate location-based results like local weather and restaurants. We can still serve results for searches like these (including instant answers and ads) while keeping you anonymous.

<p>
To do this, we simply guess your location by default using a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_geolocation">GEO::IP</a> lookup with the IP address that is automatically sent to us via your device; then we throw away both the guessed location and the IP address, per our <a href="https://duckduckgo.com/privacy">privacy policy</a>. This process does not need to request any additional information than what you are already sending.
</p>
To do this, DuckDuckGo Search simply guesses your location using a [GEO::IP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_geolocation) lookup with the IP address that's automatically sent to us via your device; then we throw away both the guessed location and the IP address, per our [Privacy Policy](https://duckduckgo.com/privacy), saving none of that info on our servers. Our default search experience was designed so that we don’t need to request any additional information than what you are already sending.

<p>
Unfortunately, this process is not always accurate enough, especially on mobile phone networks that route traffic through a central hub, sometimes making you appear to us to be hundreds of miles away from where you actually are! As such, you may see a prompt asking you if you’d like to opt-in to improve the accuracy of your local search results.
</p>
This process isn’t always accurate enough, for example DuckDuckGo Search may end up assuming you’re hundreds of miles away from where you actually are, especially on mobile phone networks that route traffic through a central hub. That’s why we built an option that lets you improve the accuracy of your local search results.

<img alt="screenshot of warning screen" src="{{ site.baseurl }}/images/desktop_pul_prompt.png" />
<p>
If you click “Enable Location,” you will then see a prompt like the one below. Major web browsers have access to more accurate location information using a variety of techniques, including WiFi databases, cell tower location databases, and GPS. When you see one of these standard browser prompts, you are allowing your browser to obtain this more accurate location for use by the requesting webpage. In our case, we engineered a solution to shield that more accurate location from us. If you'd rather choose a custom location, you can click "Set Manually" instead of "Enable Location." This bypasses the browser location permission, but still keeps your precise location anonymous to us.
</p>

<img alt="screenshot of browser location prompt" src="{{ site.baseurl }}/images/6631305e26ef2563263b3eb1c83b2a9e.png" />
<p>
The location returned by the browser is stored locally on your device and is never sent to DuckDuckGo servers. After “Enabling Location” or choosing to “Set Manually”, the next time you perform a local search, code that runs locally in your browser will send us a random location nearby, while hiding your actual location from DuckDuckGo. We use that random location to generate your results, then throw it away.
</p>

<p>
<strong>To be clear, this means that even if you opt-in to using a more accurate location, your searches will still be anonymous and DuckDuckGo never sees your actual location.</strong>
</p>

<p>
That said, don’t forget as mentioned above that the variety of techniques browsers use to identify an accurate location may present their own privacy implications. These vary by browser and depend in part on the location service the browser uses. Most major browsers provide detailed information on the location service they use and its associated policies:
</p>
<ul>
<li>
Firefox (uses Google Location Services):
<a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/does-firefox-share-my-location-websites">https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/does-firefox-share-my-location-websites</a>
</li>
<li>
Chrome (uses Google Location Services):
<a href="https://policies.google.com/technologies/location-data?hl=en-US#how-find">https://policies.google.com/technologies/location-data?hl=en-US#how-find</a>
</li>
<li>
Safari (uses Apple Location Services):
<a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204690">https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204690</a>
</li>
<li>
Edge (uses Windows Location Services):
<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/location-and-privacy-in-microsoft-edge-31b5d154-0b1b-90ef-e389-7c7d4ffe7b04">https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/location-and-privacy-in-microsoft-edge-31b5d154-0b1b-90ef-e389-7c7d4ffe7b04</a>
</li>
</ul>

When you see a prompt like the one above, "Use Location" will let you share your browser location to improve the accuracy of results while still hiding your precise location from DuckDuckGo.

Major web browsers have access to more accurate location information using a variety of techniques, including WiFi databases, cell tower location databases, and GPS. When you see one of these standard browser prompts, you are allowing your browser to obtain this more accurate location for use by the requesting webpage. In our case, we engineered a solution to shield that more accurate location from us.

<img alt="screenshot of browser location prompt" src="{{ site.baseurl }}/images/desktop_location_prompt.png" />

If you'd rather choose a custom location, you can pick "Set Location on Map" instead of "Use Location." This bypasses the browser location permission, but still keeps your precise location anonymous to us.

The location returned by the browser is stored locally on your device and is never sent to DuckDuckGo servers. After selecting “Use Location” or “Set Location on Map”, the next time you perform a local search, code that runs locally in your browser will send us a random location nearby, while hiding your actual location from DuckDuckGo. We use that random location to generate your results, then throw it away.

**To be clear, this means that even if you opt-in to using a more accurate location, your searches will still be anonymous and DuckDuckGo never sees your actual location.**

### Learn more about your browser’s location services

As mentioned above, browsers use a variety of techniques browsers use to identify an accurate location, which may present their own privacy implications. These vary by browser and depend in part on the location service the browser uses. Most major browsers provide detailed information on the location service they use and its associated policies:

- Firefox (uses Google Location Services): [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/does-firefox-share-my-location-websites](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/does-firefox-share-my-location-websites)
- Chrome (uses Google Location Services): [https://policies.google.com/technologies/location-data?hl=en-US#how-find](https://policies.google.com/technologies/location-data?hl=en-US#how-find)
- Safari (uses Apple Location Services): [https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204690](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204690)
- Edge (uses Windows Location Services): [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/location-and-privacy-in-microsoft-edge-31b5d154-0b1b-90ef-e389-7c7d4ffe7b04](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/location-and-privacy-in-microsoft-edge-31b5d154-0b1b-90ef-e389-7c7d4ffe7b04)
4 changes: 2 additions & 2 deletions _docs/privacy/device-location-services.md
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At DuckDuckGo, we don’t track you, ever. That’s our privacy policy in a nutshell. For example, we do not create unique cookies when using DuckDuckGo search and, more generally, architect our product so that we do not even have the ability to create a search or browsing history for any individual — it’s privacy by design.

As our browser is often used for everyday searching and browsing, there may be websites with which you’d like to share your current location —for example, to see a list of store locations near you. If you see the following permission prompt on a website and click “Allow” in a DuckDuckGo browser, this allows the website to access your location via the location services provided by your device.
As our browser is often used for everyday searching and browsing, there may be websites with which you’d like to share your current location —for example, to see a list of store locations near you. If you see the following permission prompt on a website and click “Allow” in the DuckDuckGo browser, this lets the website to access your location via the location services provided by your device.

![Screenshot of a browser location permission dialog]({{ site.baseurl }}/images/geolocation-permission-prompt.png)

Similar to our use of <a href="{{ site.baseurl }}/privacy/anonymous-localized-results/">location services for search results</a>, this process never sends your location to DuckDuckGo servers. However, anytime you allow your device’s location service to send your location to a website, it also allows the platform provider (Apple, Microsoft, or Google, depending on your device’s operating system) to access the information used to determine your location. This often includes your IP address, wireless access point names (SSIDs), and GPS coordinates, though this varies depending on the platform provider and their own privacy policies.
Similar to our use of <a href="{{ site.baseurl }}/privacy/anonymous-localized-results/">location services for search results</a>, this process never sends your location to DuckDuckGo servers. However, anytime you allow your device’s location service to send your location to a website, it also lets the platform provider (Apple, Microsoft, or Google, depending on your device operating system) access the information used to determine your location. This often includes your IP address, wireless access point names (SSIDs), and GPS coordinates, though this varies depending on the platform provider and their own privacy policies.

Our browsers rely on the following location services for each platform:

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119 changes: 51 additions & 68 deletions _docs/results/local-results-mobile.md
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---

<p>
We will sometimes serve localized results (for searches like
<a href="https://duckduckgo.com/?q=restaurants+nearby">"restaurants nearby"</a>) while still keeping you completely anonymous.
<a href="{{ site.baseurl }}/privacy/anonymous-localized-results">Read more about how it works</a>.
</p>

<p>
For some search results you can opt-in to anonymously and securely use your
browser location, in accordance with our
<a href="https://duckduckgo.com/privacy">privacy policy</a>. This will help
further improve the accuracy and relevancy of search results.
</p>

<h3>If You Experience Problems Trying to Enable Your Location:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Ensure you have a strong WiFi or Cellular connection.</li>
<li>Try re-starting your web browser.</li>
<li>
Using the instructions below, ensure you have Location Services enabled.
</li>
</ul>
<p>
<a href="{{ site.baseurl }}/results/local-results">Desktop</a> | Mobile:
</p>

<p><strong>iOS:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>On your device, open the Settings app.</li>
<li>Open 'Privacy', then 'Location Services'.</li>
<li>Ensure 'Location Services' is enabled.</li>
<li>Scroll down and locate your browser in the list.</li>
<li>Ensure your browser is allowed location access.</li>
<li>Reload DuckDuckGo, and try again.</li>
</ol>
<p>
If the browser location on iOS remains unavailable, then go to Settings &gt;
General &gt; Reset &gt; 'Reset Location &amp; Privacy'. Reload DuckDuckGo, and
try again.
</p>

<p><strong>Android (Chrome, Brave):</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Tap the lock icon on the address bar.</li>
<li>Open 'Site Settings'.</li>
<li>Ensure 'Location' is set to allow.</li>
<li>Reload DuckDuckGo, and try again.</li>
</ol>
<p>
If the browser location in Chrome or Brave remains unavailable, then in your
browser go to ⋮ Menu &gt; Settings &gt; Site settings &gt; Location, and
ensure DuckDuckGo is allowed location access. Reload DuckDuckGo, and try
again.
</p>

<p><strong>Android (Other):</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>On your device, open the Settings app.</li>
<li>Open 'Location', and ensure location is enabled.</li>
<li>Navigate to Settings &gt; Apps.</li>
<li>Ensure your browser is allowed location access.</li>
<li>Reload DuckDuckGo, and try again.</li>
</ol>
<p>
You can disable your location again anytime. To do so, simply scroll down to
the "Location" section on
<a href="https://duckduckgo.com/settings">Settings</a> and select "Clear", or
manually clear your browser cookies for DuckDuckGo.
</p>
DuckDuckGo Search can serve local results (for searches like ["restaurants nearby"](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=restaurants+nearby)) while still keeping you anonymous. [Read more about how it works]({{ site.baseurl }}/privacy/anonymous-localized-results).

For some search results you can opt-in to anonymously and securely use your browser location, in accordance with our [Privacy Policy](https://duckduckgo.com/privacy). This will help further improve the accuracy and relevancy of search results.

### If you experience issues trying to use your location:

- Ensure you have a strong WiFi or Cellular connection
- Try restarting your web browser
- Check to make sure you have Location Services enabled on your device

#### iOS: DuckDuckGo Private Browser

1. Open the **Settings** app
1. Go to **Privacy & Security** > **Location Services**
1. Select **DuckDuckGo** in the list and **allow** location access
1. Turn on **Precise Location** for more accurate results
1. **Reload** DuckDuckGo Search, and try again

#### iOS: Safari and Other Browsers

1. Open the **Settings** app
1. Go to **Privacy & Security** > **Location Services**
1. Select **your browser** in the list and **allow** location access
1. **Reload** DuckDuckGo Search, and try again

If the browser location on iOS remains unavailable, then go to Settings &gt; General &gt; Transfer or Reset iPhone &gt; Reset, then select "Reset Location &amp; Privacy" from the list. Reload DuckDuckGo Search, and try again. Please be aware that when you clear your location, it will also revoke privacy permissions for all apps on your device, including access to your camera, microphone, and photos. This means that none of your apps will be able to use these features without your explicit permission again.

#### Android: DuckDuckGo Private Browser

1. **Long-press** the DuckDuckGo app icon on the home screen
1. Tap the **app info icon**
1. Tap **Permissions** > **Location**
1. Select an option to **allow** location access
1. Turn on **Precise Location** for more accurate results
1. **Reload** DuckDuckGo Search, and try again

#### Android: Chrome

1. Tap the **permissions icon** in the address bar
1. Ensure Location is set to **Allow**
1. **Reload** DuckDuckGo Search, and try again

If the browser location in Chrome on Android remains unavailable, then open the ⋮ Menu and go to Privacy and security &gt; Site settings &gt; Location, and allow location access for DuckDuckGo. Reload DuckDuckGo Search, and try again.

### You can disable your location again anytime

**From [Search Settings](https://duckduckgo.com/settings)**, scroll down to “Location”, and use the “Clear” button.

**From the Map Instant Answer or Expanded Map**, click location icon. If you’ve already granted permission, click the "Clear & Disable" button to revoke your location permissions.

You can also manually clear your browser cookies for duckduckgo.com.
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