DuckDuckGo Targets Schools as Google Links Search to AI Features

OPA WIRE, Nov 4 (OPA) — DuckDuckGo is launching an outreach campaign to schools after Google informed educational administrators that disabling its Gemini artificial intelligence tools would also require cutting off Google Search entirely. The policy shift has triggered immediate pushback from educators seeking granular control over classroom technology.

On X, DuckDuckGo founder and CEO Gabriel Weinberg highlighted documentation explaining how schools can switch their default search engine to DuckDuckGo, offering direct technical assistance. Kamyl Bazbaz, DuckDuckGo's chief public affairs officer, sharply criticized the move, stating that forcing artificial intelligence onto students reflects monopolistic behavior.

Google defended the update by asserting that it responds directly to K-12 feedback, noting that Gemini, Gemini Notebook, and search tools are disabled by default while allowing schools to enable them individually. However, because Google Search now heavily integrates AI Overviews and conversational modes, educators face rigid coupling between traditional web search and generative AI tools.

DuckDuckGo maintains that it offers user privacy and flexibility, providing settings and a dedicated portal where AI-assisted answers and image generation can be completely turned off. The company previously reported a 30% increase in app installations earlier this year as users increasingly sought alternatives to forced AI search integration.