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Merge pull request #483 from duckduckgo/tgibbs/directions-to-pul
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Update to PUL
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tara-gibbs authored Nov 6, 2024
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12 changes: 7 additions & 5 deletions _docs/privacy/anonymous-localized-results.md
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Expand Up @@ -13,21 +13,23 @@ There may be cases when you want more accurate location-based results like local

To do this, DuckDuckGo Search simply guesses your location using a [GEO::IP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_geolocation) lookup with the IP address that's automatically sent to us via your device; then we throw away both the guessed location and the IP address, per our [Privacy Policy](https://duckduckgo.com/privacy), saving none of that info on our servers. Our default search experience was designed so that we don’t need to request any additional information than what you are already sending.

This process isn’t always accurate enough, for example DuckDuckGo Search may end up assuming you’re hundreds of miles away from where you actually are, especially on mobile phone networks that route traffic through a central hub. That’s why we built an option that lets you improve the accuracy of your local search results.
This process isn’t always accurate enough; for example, DuckDuckGo Search may end up assuming you’re hundreds of miles away from where you actually are, especially on mobile phone networks that route traffic through a central hub. That’s why we built an option that lets you improve the accuracy of your local search results.

<img alt="screenshot of warning screen" src="{{ site.baseurl }}/images/desktop_pul_prompt.png" />

When you see a prompt like the one above, "Use Location" will let you share your browser location to improve the accuracy of results while still hiding your precise location from DuckDuckGo.

Major web browsers have access to more accurate location information using a variety of techniques, including WiFi databases, cell tower location databases, and GPS. When you see one of these standard browser prompts, you are allowing your browser to obtain this more accurate location for use by the requesting webpage. In our case, we engineered a solution to shield that more accurate location from us.
Major web browsers have access to more accurate location information using a variety of techniques, including Wi-Fi databases, cell tower location databases, and GPS. When you see one of these standard browser prompts, you are being asked whether your browser can obtain this more accurate location for use by the webpage indicated. In our case, we engineered a solution to shield that more accurate location from us.

<img alt="screenshot of browser location prompt" src="{{ site.baseurl }}/images/desktop_location_prompt.png" />

If you'd rather choose a custom location, you can pick "Set Location on Map" instead of "Use Location." This bypasses the browser location permission, but still keeps your precise location anonymous to us.
The location returned by your browser is stored locally on your device. The next time you perform a local search, selecting “Use Location” will send us a random location nearby, while hiding your actual location from DuckDuckGo. We use that random location to generate your results, then throw it away.

The location returned by the browser is stored locally on your device and is never sent to DuckDuckGo servers. After selecting “Use Location” or “Set Location on Map”, the next time you perform a local search, code that runs locally in your browser will send us a random location nearby, while hiding your actual location from DuckDuckGo. We use that random location to generate your results, then throw it away.
If available on your device, enabling Precise Location in your app permissions will yield the most accurate local results. If you’d rather choose a custom location instead, you can pick “Set Location on Map” instead of “Use Location.” This bypasses the browser location permission, but still keeps your precise location anonymous to us.

**To be clear, this means that even if you opt-in to using a more accurate location, your searches will still be anonymous and DuckDuckGo never sees your actual location.**
The only time we’ll use your exact location during a search, rather than a randomized location nearby, is to ensure accuracy when you request map directions. In this case, the information is only used to generate your directions and is not saved on DuckDuckGo's servers.

**To be clear, this means that even if you opt-in to using a more accurate location, your searches will still be anonymous.**

### Learn more about your browser’s location services

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