DuckDuckGo hits 30M daily searches

DuckDuckGo now runs 30 million private searches a day.

The privacy-focused search engine on Thursday said in a tweet that "it took us seven years to reach 10 million private searches in one day, then another two years to hit 20 million, and now we are 30 million! Thank you all. #ComeToTheDuckSide. "

Founded in 2008, DuckDuckGo lets users search online anonymously. It does not collect or share your personal information, and by default, it does not use cookies to recognize your browser.

Online privacy is a growing concern among many people – and lawmakers – following a string of privacy related scandals this year. Facebook said in September that 30 million accounts have been compromised after a long year of data breach involving Cambridge Analytica. In September Google reportedly faced an investigation for tracking users' location without consent.

"We're glad to have more people joining the standard of trust, and they are meeting the requirements for additional tools, such as Privacy Essentials browser extension and mobile app, to protect users no matter where they go on the Internet, "said DuckDuckGo spokesperson in an email statement. "We believe the Internet should not be so creepy, and getting the privacy you want should be closing the blinds."

First published on Oct. 12, 12:02 pm PT.

Updates, 1:48 p.m. PT: Adds DuckDuckGo spokesperson statement.