Ecosia and Qwant, two European search engines prioritizing privacy and sustainability, are collaborating to build a new, independent European search index called the European Open Web Search (EOWS). This joint effort aims to reduce reliance on non-European indexes, promote digital sovereignty, and offer a more ethical and transparent alternative. The project is open-source and seeks community involvement to enrich the index and ensure its inclusivity, providing European users with a robust and relevant search experience powered by European values.
In a significant stride towards bolstering European digital sovereignty and promoting ethical, privacy-respecting online practices, the Berlin-based search engine Ecosia, renowned for its commitment to environmental sustainability through tree planting initiatives, has announced a strategic partnership with Qwant, a French search engine equally dedicated to user privacy. This collaborative endeavor aims to construct a novel, independent European search index, thereby diminishing reliance on established, predominantly non-European players in the search market.
This ambitious project, identified by the acronym EUSP (European Search Project), seeks to address the growing concern over the concentration of power within the global search landscape, where a limited number of companies control the vast majority of information access. By developing a distinctly European alternative, Ecosia and Qwant aspire to offer users greater choice and control over their online experiences, specifically concerning data privacy and the potential influence of algorithmic biases. This initiative recognizes the importance of diversifying the search ecosystem, fostering competition, and ensuring that European values are reflected in the digital tools its citizens utilize.
The joint venture will leverage the combined expertise and resources of both organizations. Qwant brings its established experience in building and maintaining a privacy-focused search engine, while Ecosia contributes its substantial user base and its innovative model of reinvesting profits into environmental projects. The resulting European search index will not only provide an alternative to existing dominant search engines but will also serve as a foundation upon which further innovation in search technology can be built, potentially extending beyond basic web search to encompass other domains such as academic research, specialized information retrieval, and more.
While the technical specifics of the EUSP are still under development, the core principles of privacy, transparency, and European digital independence will underpin the project. This collaboration represents a crucial step towards a more pluralistic and democratically controlled digital future for Europe, offering users a genuine alternative that aligns with their values and respects their fundamental rights. The long-term vision of this partnership extends beyond simply creating a new search engine; it envisions a shift in the digital paradigm, empowering users and fostering a more equitable and sustainable internet ecosystem.
Summary of Comments ( 147 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43311573
Several Hacker News commenters express skepticism about Ecosia and Qwant's ability to compete with Google, citing Google's massive data advantage and network effects. Some doubt the feasibility of building a truly independent index and question whether the joint effort will be significantly different from using Bing. Others raise concerns about potential bias and censorship, given the European focus. A few commenters, however, offer cautious optimism, hoping the project can provide a viable privacy-respecting alternative and contribute to a more decentralized internet. Some also express interest in the technical challenges involved in building such an index.
The Hacker News post titled "Ecosia is teaming up with Qwant to build a European search index" generated several comments discussing the partnership and its potential implications.
Several commenters expressed skepticism about the viability of a "European" search index, questioning what that truly entailed and whether it offered significant advantages over existing options. One commenter pointed out the difficulties of determining what constitutes "European" content and questioned the feasibility of filtering the index based on such criteria. Another commenter highlighted the dominance of American companies in search technology, suggesting that building a truly competitive European alternative would be a challenging endeavor. The practicality and cost-effectiveness of crawling and indexing the web independently were also questioned, with some suggesting that relying on established players might be a more realistic approach.
There was discussion regarding the existing infrastructure and resources of both Ecosia and Qwant. Commenters noted that Qwant's previous struggles and reliance on Bing's index raise concerns about the new venture's potential for success. The commenters questioned the technical expertise and resources available to the partnership, highlighting the massive infrastructure and continuous development required to compete with established search giants.
Some commenters expressed concerns about potential biases in a "European" search index. They questioned how the index would handle controversial topics and whether it would prioritize European perspectives, potentially leading to a skewed or incomplete view of information.
Several users discussed the importance of competition in the search market and expressed hope that this partnership could offer a viable alternative to the dominant players. However, there was also a degree of cynicism, with some commenters suggesting that the partnership was more about marketing and branding than about genuine technological innovation.
Finally, some commenters focused on the technical aspects of search engine development. They discussed the challenges of natural language processing, information retrieval, and the development of effective ranking algorithms. These comments highlighted the complex technical hurdles involved in creating a competitive search engine. Overall, the sentiment in the comments was a mixture of cautious optimism, skepticism, and pragmatic concerns about the technical and logistical challenges faced by the partnership.