When you think of DuckDuckGo, you likely picture the fiercely privacy-focused tech company that has built its reputation on protecting your digital footprint. Known primarily for its tracker-blocking search engine and secure web browser, the brand has become the go-to refuge for folks tired of having their personal data harvested by big tech conglomerates.
But in their latest—and arguably most hilarious—marketing stunt, the digital privacy watchdogs have stepped away from software and partnered with popular sunglasses maker Knockaround to release a piece of physical hardware. Enter their own pair of branded shades, perfectly engineered to poke fun at the intrusive nature of modern smart glasses.
The “Features” (Or Beautiful Lack Thereof)
Let’s talk about the specs on the DuckDuckGo Paso Robles sunglasses, because the joke becomes immediately apparent the second you look at the spec sheet. In a direct jab at Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses—which boast microphones, AI integration, and built-in cameras that make everyone around you rightfully paranoid—these are, in fact, just a regular pair of sunglasses. Or, as Knockaround and DuckDuckGo proudly advertise them: “Normal F***ing Sunglasses.”
The highlighted “features” on these frames include 0 cameras, a seamless offline mode, zero notifications guaranteed, and infinite charge life. Yes, you read that right: infinite battery, mostly because there is no battery, no AI, and absolutely no electronics inside them to run out of juice. You can walk down the beach, have a private conversation with a friend, or stare blankly at a wall without worrying that a corporate server is somehow cataloging your field of vision.
Physically, they are based on Knockaround’s existing and highly popular Paso Robles frame design. They feature a sleek, matte black finish with polarized blackout lenses that provide impact resistance and full UV400 protection. The collaborative touches come in the form of a subtle, glossy black DuckDuckGo logo on the temples and a custom debossed hard case to keep them safe. It’s a classic, understated look that ensures you won’t look like a cyborg while protecting your retinas.
The tongue in cheekiness extends to the markings on these sunglasses’s earpieces.
Should You Buy the DuckDuckGo Sunglasses?
The joke is genuinely funny, but it begs the real question for consumers: should you actually buy the DuckDuckGo Paso Robles sunglasses?
At $35, they are priced exactly the same as the standard, non-branded Paso Robles style sunglasses from Knockaround. There is no ridiculous “tech novelty” markup here, which is a refreshing change of pace. Granted, it is ultimately a gimmick. You shouldn’t expect anything mind-blowingly amazing or revolutionary from a pair of thirty-five-dollar plastic shades. They aren’t going to stream music to your eardrums or take 12-megapixel photos of your lunch. They are just going to sit on your face and block the sun, exactly as the sunglass gods intended.
That being said, there are definitely worse ways to throw a few bucks at a company you support. If you are a die-hard privacy advocate who loves what DuckDuckGo stands for, or if you simply appreciate a good troll campaign against the creeping surveillance of modern wearable tech, this is a fun piece of merchandise to own. The fact that their initial run sold out in under a week proves that privacy—and a sense of humor—looks good on everyone. Our official recommendation for these glorious, zero-tech shades is a solid “Sure, why not”.
