DuckDuckGo CEO Claims Apple Discussed Making It Default Safari Search Engine Before Sticking With Google

DuckDuckGo CEO Gabriel Weinberg testified Apple was interested in making DuckDuckGo the default search engine for Safari's private browsing mode from 2016-2019.

Weinberg said he met with Apple executives including Craig Federighi and had several meetings and calls to discuss the proposal.

Weinberg said Apple requested proposals for how DuckDuckGo could integrate with Apple services like News, Maps, Music and TV.

Apple exec John Giannandrea wasn't aware of discussions to switch default search engines and had concerns about privacy claims.

By summer 2019 it was clear Apple would not make DuckDuckGo the default, reportedly due to its lucrative contract with Google.