Editing Startpage (section)

=== Merger and recent history ===
On 29 March 2016, Ixquick.com was merged into the Startpage.com search engine. However, Ixquick was still available at Ixquick.eu, Ixquick.info and the Ixquick Search App until 2nd of April 2018, when they were discontinued.<ref name="notice">{{cite web|url = https://ixquick.com/eng/ixquick-merged-with-startpage.html?lmv=1|title = We've streamlined the fight against Big Brother!|access-date = 5 April 2016|work = Ixquick.com|date = 30 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160416103904/https://www.ixquick.eu/eng/press/startpage-and-ixquick-join-forces.html?hmb=1|archive-date = 16 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why do you no longer offer the Ixquick search engine? - Startpage Support |url=https://support.startpage.com/hc/en-us/articles/4455529976852-Why-do-you-no-longer-offer-the-Ixquick-search-engine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240625123359/https://support.startpage.com/hc/en-us/articles/4455529976852-Why-do-you-no-longer-offer-the-Ixquick-search-engine |archive-date=2024-06-25 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Startpage}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Martin |date=2018-04-02 |title=Search engine Ixquick.eu redirects to Startpage.com - gHacks Tech News |url=https://www.ghacks.net/2018/04/02/search-engine-ixquick-eu-redirects-to-startpage-com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413075125/https://www.ghacks.net/2018/04/02/search-engine-ixquick-eu-redirects-to-startpage-com/ |archive-date=2018-04-13 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=gHacks Technology News |language=en-US}}</ref> As of 2017, Startpage fields an estimated 2 billion searches. The company was one of 200 European companies that opposed the F.C.C. implementation of policies ending [[net neutrality]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Alderman|first1=Liz|last2=Tsang|first2=Amie|date=10 December 2017|title=Net Neutrality's Holes in Europe May Offer Peek at Future in U.S.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/10/business/net-neutrality-europe-fcc.html|access-date=17 August 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In October 2019, Privacy One Group, owned by adtech company [[System1]], acquired a majority stake in Startpage. An initial lack of transparency surrounding the deal caused some concern among privacy researchers, leading to its removal from the [[Privacy Guides|PrivacyTools]] review website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=John |date=2020-01-13 |title=Escape from Google: 12 privacy-promoting search engines reviewed |url=https://www.computing.co.uk/feature/3084966/escape-from-google-12-privacy-search-engines-review/page/2 |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=[[Computing (magazine)|Computing]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=PrivacyTools beveelt Startpage niet meer aan na onduidelijkheid over investering |url=https://tweakers.net/nieuws/160006/privacytools-beveelt-startpage-niet-meer-aan-na-onduidelijkheid-over-investering.html |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Tweakers |language=NL}}</ref> After responding to questions from PrivacyTools team members, Startpage was able to clarify that the acquisition would not impact their privacy-focused mission, and its recommendation was ultimately restored.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-03 |title=Privacy-focused search engine Startpage gives more details of the System1 investment |url=https://www.computing.co.uk/news/4017337/privacy-focused-search-engine-startpage-details-system1-investment |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=www.computing.co.uk |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-05-04 |title=Startpage relisted on PrivacyTools as a recommended private search engine |url=https://www.startpage.com/privacy-please/startpage-articles/startpage-relisted-on-privacytools |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=Startpage.com Blog}}</ref> According to the company, its "founders may unilaterally reject any potential technical change that could negatively affect user privacy".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brinkmann|first=Martin|date=18 November 2019|title=Startpage replies to questions about ownership change|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2019/11/18/startpage-replies-to-questions-about-ownership-change/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Ghacks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brinkmann|first=Martin|date=16 November 2019|title=Startpage Search owner changes raise serious questions|url=https://www.ghacks.net/2019/11/16/startpage-search-owner-changes-raise-serious-questions/|access-date=17 August 2020|website=Ghacks}}</ref> By maintaining its headquarters and operations in the Netherlands, Startpage continues to be protected by Dutch and [[European Union]] (EU) privacy laws.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Laurie|date=15 January 2020|title=Ties Binding Verizon To System1's Startpage Privacy Search Engine|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/345738/ties-binding-verizon-to-system1s-startpage-privac.html|access-date=17 August 2020|website=InsidePerformance|publisher=MediaPost Communications|language=en}}</ref>

In May 2020, [[Vivaldi (web browser)|Vivaldi]] announced that its browser had added Startpage as an optional or default search engine.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Eileen|title=Startpage private search engine now an option for Vivaldi browser|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/startpage-private-search-engine-now-an-option-for-vivaldi-browser/|access-date=14 September 2020|website=ZDNet|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Neowin|first=Paul Hill|title=Vivaldi adds Startpage as search option under new agreement|url=https://www.neowin.net/news/vivaldi-adds-startpage-as-search-option-under-new-agreement|access-date=14 September 2020|website=Neowin|language=en}}</ref>