No, DuckDuckGo didn't remove most search filters, it was just temporary

Privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo has released an update that temporarily removed most search filters, also called “Search Operators.” This move has raised concerns among some users who rely on those filters for their searches.

The update was discovered in a commit on GitHub, and it was speculated that DuckDuckGo had permanently removed the search filters. However, the company's CEO answered on Hacker News that they just temporarily updated their syntax help page because they had been getting complaints from some users that they were not working consistently.

In the same post, the CEO added that instead of removing that information from the help page, even temporarily, they should have said that they knew users were having problems and that they were working to address them. He also assured users that the search filters would be back soon.

DuckDuckGo has been gaining popularity among users who are concerned about their privacy online. The search engine does not track users' searches or collect their personal information. The company has been vocal about the need for privacy online and has been advocating for stronger privacy laws.

The temporary removal of the search filters has sparked a debate among users about the importance of such filters and the need for transparency from DuckDuckGo. Some users have expressed their disappointment on social media, while others have defended the company, saying that they trust DuckDuckGo to do what is best for their privacy.