DuckDuckGo introduces a new subscription offering that bundles VPN services with identity theft protection

Privacy-focused tech firm DuckDuckGo unveiled its latest offering, Privacy Pro subscription, on Thursday, integrating a VPN service, personal data removal, and identity theft restoration.

Priced at $9.99 per month or $99 annually, the plan is presently accessible solely to U.S. residents. This marks the company’s initial foray into a subscription service integrated into the DuckDuckGo browser.

While DuckDuckGo has been profitable since 2014, its revenue stream has predominantly stemmed from advertising. The introduction of the subscription service represents a fresh revenue avenue for the company.

The VPN incorporated in the Privacy Pro subscription employs the open-source WireGuard protocol to safeguard users’ identities during web browsing sessions. DuckDuckGo ensures additional protection by routing all DNS queries through its proprietary DNS resolvers, preventing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from monitoring users’ browsing histories.

In addition to the VPN service, DuckDuckGo’s subscription includes a personal information removal feature. This service scans numerous data broker websites to identify and retrieve details such as names and addresses associated with users. Upon detecting user information on any of these sites, DuckDuckGo initiates the removal process and manages all email correspondence with the respective platforms.