DuckDuckGo launches privacy-focused real-time AI voice chat

DuckDuckGo has introduced a new voice chat feature on its AI platform, Duck.ai, offering real-time, privacy-protected interactions without requiring user accounts.

The opt-in feature allows users to speak directly to an AI assistant through an encrypted relay, with the system responding in natural-sounding real time.

The voice chat capability is designed with privacy at its core. According to DuckDuckGo, voice data is streamed only during active sessions, transmitted via encrypted WebRTC channels through DuckDuckGo’s relay server, and is processed ephemerally, neither stored nor retained after the session ends.

Neither DuckDuckGo nor its model provider, OpenAI, stores audio data, and no part of the voice input is used to train the underlying AI models. The company emphasizes that, while voice is inherently biometric, it does not use this data to identify users.

Duck.ai voice chat is accessible through most modern browsers, though support for Firefox is currently pending. Users can access the feature without creating an account and are allotted a daily usage limit at no cost. Paid DuckDuckGo subscribers receive increased daily access. The feature remains optional and can be toggled off at any time from the platform’s settings.

DuckDuckGo, best known for its privacy-centric search engine and browser tools, has cautiously expanded into AI features, offering tools that align with its long-standing privacy guarantees. Duck.ai previously launched text-based interactions with large language models and is gradually expanding its capabilities while maintaining user anonymity.

While the current release is limited in scope, DuckDuckGo notes that further enhancements are in development. Voice chat marks a significant step in the platform’s evolution, placing it among a growing number of services offering conversational AI with real-time voice interaction, but with stronger privacy assurances than most competitors.

To mitigate risks associated with biometric data, DuckDuckGo has published a detailed help page explaining how voice data is handled and what privacy safeguards are in place.