I’m wondering if Norton 360 blocks data harvesting? DuckDuckGo blocks it but cannot be used I’d you are using a VPN. Thank you all!
I hear what you're saying but I don't usually choose to share information although I can't say for sure what I chose for this. I really do appreciate you looking into this. These days it seems as everyone wants all your information so it's hard to be trusting.
Thanks
While waiting to hear from my Norton contacts, I had another thought about what we might be seeing. When installing Norton products there is often a setting for sharing usage information to help Norton by logging errors and app usage. It is called Norton Community Watch.
Because I help out here, and I trust Norton, I have turned this feature on. That may be why I got the results I did.
I've looked at the results while using DDG and I also see a laundry list of information listed for the Norton apps. I am having difficulty understanding just what is happening so I'm going to escalate this thread to my Norton contacts that would have a better understanding of what DDG is reporting. I'll post back when I hear anything.
Your initial question was about using DDG with Norton VPN. The support article I linked to for DDG noted that you cannot use App Tracking Protection when you use a VPN app.
But if you turn on the VPN in 360, that also has an ad tracker blocking feature. Turn that on and see what results you see in DDG.
I just installed DDG so give me some time to test. Android is not my daily device.
I have attached 2 images from the DuckDuckGo browser. The browser states that it blocks apps from harvesting information. According to these images it shows that the Norton 360 app is somehow allowing Google and Adobe access in order to harvest information. You can always download the DuckDuckGo browser and try it for yourself. Just go to settings (3 dots top right) and under privacy choose app tracking protection and follow the instructions. I find it hard to believe Norton would allow this so maybe I am misunderstanding something but it does seem to be the case.
Thanks
This paragraph from the Google Play Store description of the DDG browser might explain what is happening.
Protect Your Privacy in Other Apps – Block most hidden app trackers in other apps day or night, and prevent third-party companies from invading your privacy with App Tracking Protection. This feature uses a VPN connection, but is not a VPN. It works locally on your device and does not collect personal data.
Although it says it is not a VPN, the Android OS might detect it as such and could explain why you get the message about Android only allowing 1 VPN at a time.
This sounds like you need to ask DDG Support about this issue. If you do, please post back here with what you find.
EDIT
Just found this DDG support article. Scroll down to Will App Tracking Protection work if I also use a VPN app? That explains that if you want to use a VPN you need to disable App Tracking Protection. in DDG.
I’m sorry if I was confusing. You can use DuckDuckGo with a VPN but you cannot have it block apps from harvesting your information and use a VPN at the same time. Something about how it gets set up and that Android only allows 1 VPN at a time. Android version 14
Norton 360 would protect against installing apps that might try to mine your data. It warns of the permissions requested by apps so you can determine if you are willing to trust that app to access those resources on your device.
Why do you say DuckDuckGo cannot be used when using a VPN? Are you getting some error message?
What device and OS version are you using?