Product Overview: Oscobo
Oscobo is a privacy-focused search engine designed to protect users from the pervasive tracking and data collection practices common among major search engines. Founded in 2015 by Fred Cornell, formerly of Yahoo!, and Rob Perin, formerly of BlackBerry, Oscobo aims to provide a safer and more private search experience.
Key Features
1. Privacy Protection
- Oscobo does not track or profile its users. It refrains from collecting personal data, including search histories, IP addresses, and other user behaviors, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
- The search engine does not use cookies to track user activity and employs SSL encryption along with perfect forward secrecy to protect user connections between browsers and servers.
2. Anonymous Search Results
- Search results are generated solely based on the search query entered, without any influence from user profiles or previous search history. This ensures that users receive unbiased and relevant results.
3. No Data Storage or Sharing
- Oscobo does not store or share any personal data with third parties. Once a user leaves the site, no records are kept, and the search engine does not retain any information about the user.
4. Source of Search Results
- Oscobo sources its search results from Bing, ensuring users have access to a wide range of information while maintaining robust privacy protections.
5. User Interface and Functionality
- The search engine’s interface is similar to other search engines, with options to switch between web searches, videos, images, and news. It also includes advertisements, but these are determined only by the search term and the user’s location (via IP address), without recording this information.
6. Geographical Focus
- Initially focused on the UK market, Oscobo also provides English search results from outside the UK. There are plans to expand into other European markets in the future.
Functionality
- Encryption and Security: Oscobo uses SSL encryption and perfect forward secrecy to encrypt searches locally, protecting user activity from interceptors and ensuring that searches remain confidential and private.
- No Third-Party Analytics: The search engine does not use third-party scripts or analytics, providing an additional layer of security and privacy for users.
- Ad Display: While Oscobo does display advertisements, these are based solely on the search term and the user’s location (via IP address), and this information is not recorded or stored.
Benefits
- Enhanced Privacy: By not tracking or storing user data, Oscobo offers a significantly more private search experience compared to traditional search engines.
- Unbiased Results: Search results are generated based solely on the search query, ensuring users receive relevant and unbiased information.
- Security: The use of encryption and the absence of third-party scripts and analytics enhance the overall security of the search experience.
Oscobo presents itself as a viable alternative for users who are concerned about their online privacy and seek to maintain control over their personal data while still accessing comprehensive search results.