DuckDuckGo brings its privacy-focused browser to Macs

An example of DuckDuckGo’s tracker blocker for Mac in action
duck duck go
DuckDuckGo, best known for its privacy-focused search engine, is bringing its equally privacy-focused web browser to desktop computers for the first time, starting with Mac.
The company announced its desktop browser plans late last year, but this is the first time the company has been able to get its hands on any version of the promised software.
Like the company’s iOS and Android browsers, DuckDuckGo for Mac was designed from the ground up to prioritize user privacy at all times. This extra security is powered by features like built-in access to the DuckDuckGo private search engine, pop-up cookie protection, a one-click option to clear all browsing data, email protection, and the passage automatic default to the encrypted version (HTTPS) of all sites, and more.
The new browser apparently uses macOS’s built-in website rendering engine (the same used by Safari, DuckDuckGo noted) to deliver fast load times. The company says these accelerated loads are made even faster by its default blocking of all ad trackers.
Also: 5 Best Browsers for Privacy: Safe Web Browsing
DuckDuckGo for Mac is launching in private beta, with its maker noting that some features aren’t fully implemented yet. Among those missing features is support for extensions. Although it plans to enable the extensions at a later date, DuckDuckGo claims that the in-browser password manager and ad blocker already do the job of the two most downloaded types of extensions without it being necessary to install third-party solutions.
He also noted that the built-in password manager is able to import your saved credentials from third-party extensions such as 1Password or LastPass to ease your transition.
Also: Best password manager: keep all your logins
Users wishing to join the waiting list to test the private beta can do so by downloading one of the company’s mobile browser apps, going to its Settings menu, and tapping DuckDuckGo for Desktop (in the “No more DuckDuckGo”). There you will see an option to “Join Private Waitlist”. Once you’ve gained access, a mobile app notification will provide an invite code that can be used to download DuckDuckGo for Mac on your system of choice.
The company said it was already working on a version of its browser for Windows PCs. However, he did not provide a time frame for the availability of this edition.