Startpage.com
Summary
Startpage.com is a search engine based in the Netherlands that sends an anonymized search query to Google so you can still benefit from Google's search algorithms without them gaining any personal information about you. The website can be accessed from any device with access to the internet.
Breach History
Has there ever been a breach or data leak?
No known hacks or data breaches!
🎉
Privacy Checklist
Is any kind of biometric data collected (health, heart, voice, etc.)?
Are you able to delete your data / the data collected about you?
Does it use cookies, telemetry, or third-party tracking scripts?
Is the privacy policy user-friendly (easy to understand)?
Does it have parental controls?
Does it use encryption to protect your data both in-transit and at-rest?
Does it get regular software and / or firmware updates?
Does it require you to create a strong password?
Is there a system in place for managing security vulnerabilities?
Does it have a privacy policy?
How Can It Snoop?
Does it have a camera or request / require access to a camera?
Does it have a microphone or request / require access to a microphone?
Does it track your location or request / require access to location data?
Account Requirements
Does it require an email address to use?
Does it require a phone number to use?
Does it require an address (home or office) to use?
Payment Options
Are you able to use a credit card as a payment option?
Are you able to use a cryptocurrency as a payment option?
Are you able to use PayPal as a payment option?
Are you able to use cash or gift cards as a payment option?
What Could Go Wrong?
Virtually no risk. Startpage.com functions by sending an anonymized search query to Google and returning the search results, but this does not provide Google with any information such as your IP address, and Startpage.com does not store this information either.
How Does It Share Your Data?
No personal data is stored by Startpage.com, which means that no information can be disclosed to third parties even if they wanted to.
Good Things
- Anonymous browsing.
Bad Things
- Sends anonymized search query to Google and returns search results. This should not give Google access to any information, but if you are concerned with being at all connected to Google, then perhaps choose another option.
Final Thoughts
Startpage.com is a very privacy-minded alternative to Google, Bing, and other search engines. It does not collect any significant information from its users, so no information could be shared with third parties even if they wanted to. Overall, Startpage.com is a great choice for a private search engine.