DuckDuckGo launches Duck Player blocking YouTube ads and tracking cookies

Technology Oct 04, 2026

DuckDuckGo just rolled out Duck Player, a built-in browser feature that automatically blocks YouTube video ads and keeps tracking cookies at bay (no extra setup needed).

Now you can watch videos ad-free and with more privacy on macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS (sorry, Linux users).

Users can disable Duck Player anytime

If you'd rather stick with the regular YouTube look, you can turn Duck Player off any time.

But for anyone tired of data tracking or awkward ad interruptions during screen shares on a Zoom call, this update is a game-changer.

It's another sign that DuckDuckGo is serious about making browsing safer and less annoying for everyone who values their privacy.