This is a guest post by NBTV Community Member Incognito Cat.

Every search you make reveals something about you. It’s not just advertisers building profiles for targeted ads; your search data could be subpoenaed in legal cases. For example, imagine searching for legal advice during a dispute - those queries could later be requested in court. Most people don’t realize their search history is another record of their online activity, often retained by search engines or ISPs, even in incognito mode.

The Risk

Authorities or attorneys can request your search history via subpoenas or warrants, especially in criminal or civil disputes. In 2023, over 1.5 million such requests were made to major tech companies for user data (source: multiple transparency reports). Your digital footprint isn’t as private as you might think.

The Solution: Privacy-Preserving Search Engines

Switch to privacy-focused search engines like Brave Search or Startpage to take control. Here’s why they’re worth it:

No Tracking: They don’t log your searches or create user profiles for ads.
Anonymity: Your identity stays hidden, dodging personalized ads.
Neutral Results: See unfiltered searches, free from personalization bias.
Extra Privacy: Enjoy ad-blocking, tracker-blocking, and encrypted connections.

Quick Comparison

Note: Always check the latest privacy policies for Brave Search and Startpage for updates.

Ready to Switch? Here’s How

Visit Brave Search or Startpage.
Set as your default search engine in your browser settings.
Test a few searches and compare results.
For extra privacy, pair with a private browser like Brave and/or use a reputable VPN.

Common Questions

Are results as good as Google? Both engines deliver high-quality results. Brave builds its own index, while Startpage anonymizes Google’s results.
Is it hard to switch? No, it takes under a minute to change your default search engine.
What else can I do? Use a VPN for location privacy or a private browser to block trackers further.

Why It Matters

Using these tools protects your data and supports a privacy-first internet. By switching, you’re voting for a web that respects your boundaries. Curious about more privacy tools? Explore Brave Browser or VPNs like ProtonVPN and Mullvad.

Remember, we may not have anything to hide but everything to protect.

Yours In Privacy,

Incognito Cat

Consider supporting our nonprofit so that we can fund more research into the surveillance baked into our everyday tech. We want to educate as many people as possible about what’s going on, and help write a better future. Visit LudlowInstitute.org/donate to set up a monthly, tax-deductible donation.