Privacy settings in URL don't work as expected

DuckDuckGo Forum

Maxim Kam..

in DuckDuckGo Forum • 4 months ago

Hello gentlemen,

1. http://duckduckgo.com/?q=santorum&kd=-1&kh=1

Expected: Wikipedia link to HTTPS

Actual: Wikipedia link to HTTP

2. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=santorum&kd=-1&kh=-1

Expected: Wikipedia link to HTTP

Actual: Wikipedia link to HTTPS

3. http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/?q=santorum&kd=-1&kh=1

Expected: Wikipedia link to HTTPS

Actual: Wikipedia link to HTTP

4. http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/?kd=-1&kh=1, type “santorum”, hit Enter

Expected: redirect to http://3g2upl4pq6kufc4m.onion/?q=santorum&kd=-1&kh=1, Wikipedia link to HTTPS

Actual: redirect to https://duckduckgo.com/?q=santorum&kd=-1&kh=1, Wikipedia link to HTTPS

(4) is probably because HTTP main page redirects to HTTPS main page when kh=1 is given as a parameter — however, this doesn't make sense for an .onion HTTP address.

Thank you.

Replies(2)

Maxim Kam..

Re: Privacy settings in URL don't work as expected

4 months ago

After examining other threads, it seems that the kh option has different purpose than I thought. However, I think that at least as a URL parameter, it doesn't make sense: if the user wishes to go to the HTTPS DDG site, he will just use the https: protocol scheme — there is no need for a parameter. In any case, I think that a parameter that does what I thought kh did (controlling protocol scheme in the results) would be beneficial for the users.

Also, interface settings parameters don't seem to affect the non-Javascript DDG page (do any settings have effect there?).

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yegg13

Re: Privacy settings in URL don't work as expected

4 months ago

Right, here's the thinking behind kh. Sometimes people type in duckduckgo.com in their address bar and end up on the http version. This parameter uses JS to change the form action and ensure that the form submits via HTTPS. That's really all it does.

The https everywhere component that you're referring to is actually not a setting, but is just part of the https version.

You're right about the kh interaction with onion too. That will change the form action, but in light of the above, it isnt needed.

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