tldr; DDG specifically allows Microsoft, a company that profits from collecting specific user data, to collect some (anonymous) user data through its ad program.
I don’t think it’s proven that DDG creates user profiles like Google does, more that there is a concern that they receive their money from Microsoft, or that they have agreements with Microsoft to send them any data in the first place.
https://factually.co/fact-checks/technology/does-duckduckgo-track-you-809f45
https://blog.ssuiteoffice.com/articles/general/duckduckgo-privacy-controversy.htm
tldr; DDG specifically allows Microsoft, a company that profits from collecting specific user data, to collect some (anonymous) user data through its ad program.
I don’t think it’s proven that DDG creates user profiles like Google does, more that there is a concern that they receive their money from Microsoft, or that they have agreements with Microsoft to send them any data in the first place.