Viber launches AI-powered feature to help manage unread messages

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Viber introduced earlier this week yet another AI-powered tool that will make it easier for users to manage unread messages in group chats. The new feature makes it possible to summarize unread messages in group chats, as well as extract the most important parts of a user’s group conversation and convey it in short form.At launch, the new AI summary feature will only be available for group chats, but it might expand to other parts of the messaging app in the future. Specifically designed to meet the needs of its users, the AI summarizer is able to distill essential information from up to 100 unread messages into a private bullet-pointed summary.

To enable the new AI-powered tool, Viber users must enter a group chat with unread messages and accept to obtain the summary of the missed part of conversation from the prompt that welcomes them.

It’s important to mention that these summaries are only visible to users who request them. Another thing worth noting is that the AI chat summary content does not include any identifiers beyond usernames, which means that specific conversations can’t be externally connected to any group members.

Obviously, Viber won’t have access nor will it save conversations or summaries on its servers, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.

According to Viber, this feature is gradually rolled out to users in the United States, the Philippines, Ukraine, Japan, Bulgaria, and Poland with more countries to follow soon. The AI summarizer supports both iOS and Android platforms and comprehends more than 50 languages.


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Apple software bug incorrectly showed iOS app developers earning millions of dollars

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Some App Store developers received a Community Chest card from Apple that said “App Store error in your favor. Collect $10.5 million. Hey, that’s a reasonable way to explain what this story is all about. After all, Apple is acting like a monopoly according to the U.S. Department of Justice. What is really going on is a bug in the App Store Connect program which last week incorrectly showed some App Store developers earning over a million dollars from their apps listed in the App Store.
App Store Connect allows developers of apps listed in the App Store to view sales reports, and app analytics, and even invite users to test their apps using TestFlight. According to AppleInsider, developers have posted on social media that sales and proceeds data on App Store Connect is not accurate and in the 24-hour view, wide swings in the numbers can be seen over a few hours.
The bottom line is that App Store Connect is showing developers that they made much more money than normal with some showing earnings in the range of $2 million to $10.5 million. The latter figure is what developer Jeff Johnson saw in his account leading him to post on Mastodon, “Best day of my life.” Developers impacted by the bug saw their proceeds hit a figure 999% more than what they should be.
Another iOS app developer James Thomson had $3.88 million in proceeds according to App Store Connect although Apple seemed to figure out that something was not right. On the top of Thomson’s App Store Connect page was a message reading, “An issue exists with Sales and Proceeds data in the 24-hour view from April 10, 2024 10 p.m. UTC. We are working on resolving this.”

The bug can lead some developers to spend much more money on ads than they planned to. App Store developers can arrange to automate their ad spending based on the proceeds per hour that they receive. When those numbers are artificially high because of a bug, especially as much as 999% higher to figures in the millions of dollars, some developers could end up on the hook for huge amounts of money used to advertise their apps automatically.


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These red flags will warn you of a dating app “romance scammer” looking to wipe you out

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Tinder users are being warned that some users of the dating app are more interested in having a relationship with your money than having a relationship with you. According to EarthWeb (via U.S.Sun) the Tinder app is filled with what they call “romance scammers” who are looking to rip you off. These criminals want to build up your trust and help you develop romantic feelings toward them in order to wipe out your bank account.

Once they have your trust, “romance scammers” start asking you for money

These scammers can be found hanging around the Tinder app or other dating sites like Bumble and Hinge. By kissing up to you, they are building up your trust in them while you also develop romantic feelings for these crooks. Once they feel that they have you “hooked,” you’ll get requests for some money, or they might ask for the login info you use for banking and financial apps. Another brazen request they make is for you to buy something for them, perhaps to prove your love.
“A brand new Galaxy S24 Ultra would really show me how much you care,” the scammer might say. “And, well, the version with 1TB of storage would show you love me four times as much as the 256GB model.” Don’t think for a minute that such scams can’t happen. The FBI says that last year $1.1 billion was stolen from victims of “romance scams.” The FBI said, “The scammer intends to establish a relationship as quickly as possible, endear himself to the victim, and gain trust. Scammers may propose marriage and make plans to meet in person, but that will never happen. Eventually, they will ask for money.”

EarthWeb’s privacy expert Trevor Cooke shared some red flags that those using dating apps should be on the lookout for:

If someone continues to make excuses to avoid answering your valid questions, like how old they are or where they are from, that is one of the biggest red flags. Cooke says that in that scenario, “There’s a high possibility they’re a catfish trying to lure you into a scam. Before you go on a first date with someone, you should at least know their age and the general area in which they live,” Cooke states.

Another red flag is when someone on Tinder is fishing for personal information from you. This warning sign includes excessive messaging on their part, impatience when you reply to a message late, asking odd personal questions that don’t fit in with your conversation, interrupting questions you have about them to ask about you, and asking for money only a short time after you’ve met the person.

That photo of your match lying on a bed full of cash is a red flag

Watch out for romance scammers who have incredible pictures on their Tinder profiles. These would include photos of fancy yachts and private jets or photos of the person showing off by holding large stacks of cash. On the other hand, if the person’s profile has only one photo, that’s also a red flag. “One quick way to find out if their photos are legit is to ask them to take a photo of them doing something very specific. If they can’t produce it, they’re likely a catfish,” says Cooke.

Cooke also states, “If every other message is asking when you can meet up and you aren’t even having a real conversation of substance, then it may be time to unmatch. Remember, when you do meet someone in person for the first time, always do so in a public area, or take a friend with you.” 

To stay safe, do not send any money to someone you’ve only met online or over the phone. Be careful about the information you share since that data can be used to break into your financial apps. Research a person’s profile and pictures to see if the name or image has been used elsewhere on the internet. Do not give away your passwords!

Lastly, avoid people who request inappropriate photos of you because such images could be used in an extortion scheme. Don’t share financial information, and be wary of someone who is trying to separate you from your friends and family.

If there are no red flags, perhaps you have found real love on Tinder.


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Best Practices for Optimizing Web Development Standards for Media Sites

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Best Practices for Optimizing Web Development Standards for Media Sites

Social media has permeated our lives, from interacting with loved ones to gathering information and conducting business. Consumers use their favourite websites to find products or services, but social media’s power goes beyond connecting people and businesses. It has the potential to transform all industries’ online presence and shape web development processes in highly effective ways to drive corporate growth and improve the consumer experience.

Businesses can use quality-assured code review services to eliminate memory leaks and poor performance, ensuring that everything runs smoothly while maintaining stability and security. The code review service streamlines and accelerates the software development process in ways few other approaches can.

Maintaining high web development standards for media sites is critical for providing a smooth user experience and keeping visitors engaged. Here are some of the main practices to follow:

Responsive Design

Responsive web design (RWD) is a web design technique that allows web pages to load efficiently on all screen sizes and resolutions while maintaining usability. It is a multi-device web approach that focuses not only on screen resolutions and screen sizes but also on overall design.

For example, you can’t just design for desktop computers; you also have to consider mobile devices to provide a better user experience. Furthermore, half of all users use mobile devices, which account for the vast majority of search engine visits.

You’ll also need to consider device resolution to ensure that all users have a seamless navigation and browsing experience.

Follow responsive design best practices to ensure that your media site is responsive and mobile-friendly, providing a seamless browsing experience across multiple platforms and screen sizes. It enables your site to adapt to different screen resolutions, resulting in higher engagement. 

Page Load Optimization/ Page Speed

It is a phrase that describes how quickly your content loads when a user navigates to a page on your website. This phrase is known as “page speed.” It is a measure of how long it takes for a specific page to load. Users may leave your website if the pages load slowly, reducing your chances of attracting more visitors and sales.

Another reason search engine optimization is important is that Google ranks web pages differently based on a variety of factors. Page is one of the ranking factors used on both mobile devices and desktop computers.

Furthermore, media websites frequently feature multimedia assets such as large photographs, videos, and other forms of media. To maintain high standards, page load times must be optimized. Image compression, CSS and JavaScript file minification and load time reduction can all help to improve overall performance.

CMS Integration

The term “content management system” refers to a software application that allows users to create, publish, and edit content. Content files stored in a CMS are saved in a database and displayed in layers based on a collection of templates, similar to how a webpage works.

CMS’s common functions include the following:

  • It improves the digital experience.
  • It enables users to generate and format information with ease.
  • CMS keeps files in a single location, making it easy for users to find them.
  • It enables authorized users to manage information based on their roles, such as managers, editors, and authors.
  • The software notifies the user when and where the content was released.

Benefits of CMS

Multiple authorized personnel can view, edit, schedule, and manage the content that will be published. It offers a user-friendly experience, especially for those who are not technically savvy, allowing them to quickly create and manage their own content.

CMS is cost-effective because it eliminates the need for front-end developers to make changes to the website, allowing users to easily publish content and promoting a digital experience for both visitors and editors. It simplifies and streamlines content distribution to other platforms.

Businesses must implement a dependable and simple CMS for managing media sites, which allows for easy content creation, editing, and posting.

CMS allows you to easily categorize articles and organize media resources and assets.

Structure that is SEO-Friendly.

Ensure that your website follows the best SEO practices. Meta descriptions, appropriate heading tags, keywords, and other SEO-friendly content were used. It enables your website to become visible and attract organic traffic.

A rational web structure attracts users while also making it easy for search engines to index and scan your website. To begin, the following are the most important elements:

  • Focus on scannability.
  • Give clear calls to action.
  • Use your website’s header wisely.
  • Maximize the visual hierarchy guidelines.
  • Create SEO-friendly URLs for search engines.
  • Create a high-quality user experience (UI).
  • Use keywords to organize your web page layout.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a feature found on high-quality multimedia websites. This feature ensures that all users, including those with disabilities, can easily navigate your website. Accessibility benefits both mobile device users and those with slow internet access. 

Here’s how to implement accessibility:

Follow the “Web Content Accessibility Guidelines” to ensure that your website is accessible to people with disabilities, such as those who struggle with their vision or hearing.

Accessibility practices should be implemented from the start of the project and tested as needed. If it is not completed soon, it may result in higher future expenses.

Conclusion

Web development and social media are extremely effective tools for any business. However, when the two technologies are combined, their ability to drive business growth may improve. Employing and combining appropriate web development and social media content practices can help improve company recognition, attract visitors, generate conversions, and strengthen brand reliability and consumer loyalty.

Not only should their capabilities be combined, but maintaining high standards in web development for media sites is critical to staying current with technology trends and making all activities smoother and more seamless, increasing productivity and efficiency.

Remember that maintaining high-quality web development for media websites is an ongoing process. Regularly checking your site’s operation, soliciting user feedback, and keeping up with the latest web development trends are all important ways to improve your media site.

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  4. 5 must-try user flow diagramming tools for UX designing
  5. Embracing Minimalism: “Less is More” Approach in UI/UX Design

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Google Fitbit app’s design talks about their “form follows feeling” philosophy in new interview

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Three years after Google acquired Fitbit, the merger of these two companies is becoming increasingly apparent. The most apparent example is the Fitbit app’s new revamp, which effortlessly integrates Google’s Material You design language. In a candid interview on the Google Design website, Fitbit’s UX team provides a behind-the-scenes peek at the app’s development.Fitbit designers began drawing inspiration from the Light and Space art movement two years ago. This Californian artistic style from the late 1960s promoted principles such as customization and an emphasis on the viewer’s experience, both of which are well aligned with health tracking equipment. “Form follows feeling” became a design philosophy, which resulted in the current Fitbit app’s emphasis on soft hues, light backgrounds, and rounded graphic elements.According to the designers, Fitbit’s revamp under Google goes beyond the surface. They sought to change the way health data is displayed, making it more intelligible. Sarah Wilson, the lead UX designer for Fitbit, says, “We’re on a journey as a product team to become less about data collection and more about giving you insight and actionable information to take charge of your health journey.” This includes employing visual aids such as charts and straightforward explanations to help people understand the world of health and fitness data. Finally, Fitbit wants to encourage consumers to use their recorded data to make positive lifestyle choices.

The impact of this collaborative design methodology continues, as seen by the recent redesign of the Fitbit Sleep feature. Judy Zhao, leader of Fitbit’s visual motion and systems team, emphasizes the significance of a unified approach: “We’re able to do this because we’re combining multiple worlds into one holistic health journey experience.”

While the partnership between Fitbit and Google is still evolving, the transformation of the Fitbit app looks it might be a promising glimpse into a future where technology and design work together to actually benefit the users. Let’s hope it continues to be that way.

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Gmail wants to tame your spam mailbox with a “Subscription” filter

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If you’re constantly battling a cluttered inbox, like most of us are, there may be help on the horizon. Gmail appears to be testing a new “Subscriptions” filter that promises to isolate those pesky newsletters and promotional emails, making it easier to achieve the coveted and seemingly unattainable “inbox zero” status.Gmail’s existing intelligent filters already help users manage their mail, but the newly discovered “Subscriptions” filter, found by AssembleDebug via PiunikaWeb, promises to offer even more granular control. Found within the Android app’s sidebar under “Labels,” this “Manage Subscriptions” filter intelligently analyzes your email patterns. According to the strings found within the code, this filter will reportedly do the following:
  • Categorize subscription senders by email frequency – “less than 10,” “10 to 20,” or “20+” emails per quarter. This allows for the quick identification of spammy senders.
  • Include a clear unsubscribe button directly within the filter, streamlining the process of opting out from unwanted subscriptions.

Images Credit: PiunikaWeb

The feature seems to be in its early stages, however, some users are reporting on Reddit that they are seeing a pop-up announcement. That said, the filter itself isn’t fully functional yet, as tapping on its link takes these same users to a section of the app that never fully loads.

Images Credit: u/BlanchDuBois74 & u/bsewall on Reddit

This feature has the potential of being extremely beneficial for anyone who frequently subscribes to services or mailing lists, and knows the struggle of overloaded inboxes. Gmail’s “Subscriptions” filter promises a more streamlined inbox experience. I for one a looking forward to having all of these emails contained within one label without having to set up a ton of filters to catch them all. Additionally, it will be helpful to have a quicker way to unsubscribe, so I can proactively manage my subscriptions, potentially saving me precious time and reducing email clutter.


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WhatsApp starts testing Meta’s AI-powered chatbot

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It’s pretty clear that AI (artificial intelligence) is the main focus of many corporations nowadays. Every big company has its own AI-powered chatbot that is more or less reliable.

The fact that these AI chatbots must learn from copyrighted content to be accurate is one of the main reasons that it takes a long time to train them. Meta, Microsoft, Twitter, and Google are working hard to make their AI-powered tools as good as possible, although their applications don’t seem to be that beneficial for end users at the moment.

In any case, it looks like WhatsApp users will soon get access to the AI-powered Meta chatbot. An early version of the tool is now available for testing in WhatsApp beta for iOS and Android.

The folks at WABetaInfo report that some users can now experiment with the AI-powered Meta chatbot. Specifically, select users in India and a few other countries will be seeing the new feature if they are enrolled in the WhatsApp beta program.

More importantly, the AI-powered Meta chatbot will be rolled out to even more users in the coming months. It’s also worth mentioning that Meta’s AI chatbot will work independently, so it won’t be tied to the conversations users have on WhatsApp.

Currently, Meta’s AI is integrated in the search bar at the top of the app. Everything that users type in the search bar remains private unless the user sends a prompt to the Meta AI chatbot.

Basically, in addition to the option to search in your conversations for specific content, the search bar now allows users to access the Meta AI chatbot. It remains to be seen how this will look like in the final version of WhatsApp, if Meta decides to give its AI-powered chatbot the green light.


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Windows Apps Vulnerable to Command Injection via “BatBadBut” Flaw

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Popular Programming Languages Vulnerable to "BatBadBut" Command Injection Attack

Flatt Security has discovered a critical vulnerability called “BatBadBut” that could allow attackers to inject malicious commands into Windows applications. The flaw, discovered by Flatt Security’s security engineer RyotaK, affects multiple programming languages. It was reported to the CERT Coordination Center and registered as CVE-2024-24576 on GitHub with a severity score of 10.0.

What’s the Issue?

Windows Rust developers are being urged to update their versions due to a critical vulnerability called ‘BatBadBut’, which could lead to malicious command injections on machines. The vulnerability affects the Rust standard library, which improperly escaped arguments when invoking batch files on Windows using the Command API.

BatBadBut vulnerability allows attackers to inject commands into Windows applications that rely on the ‘CreateProcess’ function. This is because cmd.exe, which executes batch files, has complex parsing rules and programming language runtimes fail to escape command arguments properly.

Why it Occurs?

The ‘BatBadBut’ issue occurs from the interaction between programming languages and the Windows operating system. When a program calls the “CreateProcess” function, Windows launches a separate process, “cmd.exe,” to handle the execution. This separate process parses the commands in the .bat file. 

For your information, Windows by default includes .bat and.cmd files in the PATHEXT environment variable, which can cause runtimes to execute batch files against developers’ intentions. An attacker can inject commands into Windows applications by controlling the command arguments section of batch files. To do this, the application must execute a command on Windows, specify the command file extension, control the command arguments, and fail to escape them.

“Some runtimes execute batch files against the developers’ intention if there is a batch file with the same name as the command that the developer intended to execute,” ” Ryotak explained.

Impacted Applications

Haskell process library, Rust, Node.js, PHP, and yt-dlp are affected by this bug. The Rust Security Response Working Group was notified on April 9 2024 that the Rust standard library, which is used to invoke batch files on Windows, is not properly escaping arguments, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary shell commands by bypassing the escaping. Haskell, Rust, and yt-dlp have issued patches.  

Ryotak reports that this isn’t an “internet breaking vulnerability” and most applications are not affected by it with several mitigations already available. Some programming languages have addressed it by adding an escaping mechanism. In addition, BatBadBut only affects Rust versions before 1.77.2, affecting no other platform or use.

Mitigation Strategies:

Researchers advise developers to exercise caution when using functions that interact with external processes, especially when dealing with user-supplied data. They recommend validating and sanitizing user input before incorporating it into commands, using safe alternatives, and staying updated with the latest security patches and fixes provided by framework and library developers.

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  3. Rust-Based Injector Deploys Remcos RAT in Multi-Stage Attack

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Pixel 8a makes an appearance on US Cellular way too early

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The Google Pixel 8a floodgates seem to be wide open at this point. We exclusively shared the phone in all colors yesterday, and now the Pixel 8a has surfaced online, on a US carrier.

The Google Pixel 8a appeared on US Cellular ahead of time

Evan Blass, one of the best-known tipsters in the industry, has shared the news. He shared a screenshot of a phone on the US Cellular website. On the page, you can clearly see the phone from its front side. The screenshot Evan Blass shared is shown below.

Pixel 8a US Cellular leak

Not much other info is given here, but you get a clear look at the phone’s home screen. The bezels won’t be as thin as some would hope, it seems. They’re not thick, but… they’re not exactly razor-thin either.

A flat display is used here, of course, and you’ll also notice a centered display camera hole at the top. This image also shows us the phone’s physical keys. The power/lock button sits above the volume rocker buttons on the right-hand side.

The device is coming in four color options

The Pixel 8a is coming in four color options, green, white, black, and blue. Google will name these colors Mint, Porcelain, Obsidian, and Bay, respectively. The Mint one is especially noticeable, and it’s bright green. All the others are well-known to Pixel users.

google pixel 8a exclusive leak AH

The Google Pixel 8a is expected to launch next month. It will almost certainly come during Google I/O 2024, which takes place on May 14 and 15. The keynote will be held on May 14, though, and that’s when the Pixel 8a is expected.

Now, the phone itself is expected to ship with the Google Tensor G3 processor. It will also include a 6.1-inch AMOLED display. Some rumors indicated that it will have a 120Hz panel this time around, though.

The camera aspect is tipped to remain the same as last year. That means we’ll likely get a 64-megapixel main camera, and a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit on the back. Android 14 will come pre-installed, but the phone will get Android 15 as soon as it becomes available.


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DuckDuckGo launches ‘Privacy Pro’ service that includes a VPN

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DuckDuckGo is one of the best options in the market when it comes to private internet search tools. It has now introduced a service called Privacy Pro, giving you another reason to switch from other search tools to DuckDuckGo. But what exactly is the DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro service and how is it going to benefit you? Here’s everything you need to know.

What is DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro service?

Many browsers today, such as Opera and Mozilla, come with a built-in VPN. With the Privacy Pro service, DuckDuckGo is also joining the team of browsers that offers a built-in VPN service. However, what sets DuckDuckGo apart from other browsers is the additional two features it offers.

In addition to VPN support, the Privacy Pro service includes a Personal Information Removal and Identity Theft Restoration service. This means that with the Privacy Pro service, you will have access to a total of three features.

Detailed overview of Privacy Pro service

As aforementioned, DuckDuckGo Privacy Pro service offers three features — VPN, Personal Information Removal and Identity Theft Restoration. Let’s check out all these features in detail.

Privacy Pro VPN feature.
Image Credit — DuckDuckGo

The VPN service provides an extra layer of protection to your browser. The best part is that the VPN encrypts the connection for all browsers and apps on your device. This means that your location and IP address will be hidden from the sites you visit. Additionally, your ISP will also not be able to track your online activity.

You can use the VPN service on up to five devices simultaneously, and when you use it, DuckDuckGo will not log or store any data related to your browsing habits.

DuckDuckGo currently has VPN servers across the US, Europe, and Canada. They have plans to expand to more regions in the future.

Privacy Pro Personal Information Removal service

Privacy Pro Personal Information Removal Feature

There are various people search sites like Spokeo that collect your personal information from your social media, local records, or even from other people’s search sites. The Personal Information Removal service will help you in removing all your personal information from such people’s search sites.

To use the service, you will need to set it up on your primary Mac or Windows computer. Once you have completed this step, all further processes for removing your information will be managed from that same device using the DuckDuckGo browser.

Privacy Pro Identity Theft Restoration service

Privacy Pro Identity Theft feature

Even with all the protection and safeguarding of your account, there’s still a slight chance that hackers may come up with a new way to steal your data. If this happens, the hacker may have enough information to steal your identity. This is where the Identity Theft Restoration service comes into play.

DuckDuckGo has partnered with Iris, powered by Generali, one of the top identity theft advisors in the US, to help you resolve any identity theft issues. If your identity has been stolen, Iris will assist you in this situation. The company will freeze your credit report until the issue is resolved. They will also help you cancel and replace your driver’s license, bank documents, passport, and Social Security card.

Additionally, Iris will provide travel assistance, help you inform healthcare and insurance providers about fraudulent claims made under your name, and cover out-of-pocket costs.

Cost of the Privacy Pro service

It doesn’t matter how good a service is; the number of people who start using it often depends on its price. If you were to purchase the three features that Privacy Pro offers separately from different companies, you would have to spend at least $30/month out of pocket. But DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Pro service is available for only $9.99/month.

There’s also an annual plan that costs $99.99/year. Currently, the service is only limited to the United States, but DuckDuckGo has announced that they will soon be expanding to other regions as well.


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