this post was submitted on 20 Nov 2023
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Privacy

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In the last couple of months I have noticed an increasing trend of supplying me search results that are completely unrelated to the current query and tie back to my location or previous searches. I can say this with a high degree of certainty this is without a doubt beyond the 100th instance this has happened.

My browser is configured against tracking and fingerprinting (in fact all my devices are) which would make it fairly difficult to retain any data unless they are profiling me.

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[–] LinkOpensChest_wav@lemmy.one 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] lars@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So like… all Searx instances are independent, but I can save my preferences in a reproducible query string? Or like… how’s this a long-term, easy, good move for me? (I know ≈nothing).

[–] LinkOpensChest_wav@lemmy.one 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can do it that way if you grab that URL from the "cookies" section. Otherwise, it can save your preferences in a cookie.

[–] lars@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thanks!

Do all the Searx instances generate and keep independent indexes of the entire internet, or is it more like Lemmy (where, maybe, each instance is a window into the entirety of the index)?

[–] LinkOpensChest_wav@lemmy.one 1 points 1 year ago

Good question! I wish I knew, but unfortunately this is outside the scope of my knowledge. Someone on !privacyguides@lemmy.one could probably tell you immediately