Qwant search engine seems to know my location

[larsvontrier 1]

Every time I use Qwant search engine it always gives me search results based in the UK.
I live in the UK.

Despite using Airvpn, changing servers and even changing the screen resolution of my monitor - Qwant will always give me websites based in the UK.
I have found this even occurs when I use Tor browser.

How can this happen?

 

[Guest]

Connect to a server in a different country and check for leaks at
ipleak.net
browserleaks.com

You should also delete cookies and browser cache as it might contain information about your previous location

 

[SurprisedItWorks 47]

Check Qwant settings.  It has a setting for the country to use to orient your search results.  Perhaps it defaulted to UK when you first used Qwant, way back before you were on a VPN.  (The last time I used Qwant though, via an Air server in a country not my own, I found the setting indicated the country of the Air server I was using.)

[larsvontrier 1]

On 1/27/2020 at 10:25 AM, HannaForest said:

Connect to a server in a different country and check for leaks at
ipleak.net
browserleaks.com

You should also delete cookies and browser cache as it might contain information about your previous location

 

I have been to both websites and they're showing no DNS or webRTC leaks.
Nonetheless Qwant stiil keeps giving UK websites from its output.
I always delete cookies on startup.

I think this is a Firefox issue as Qwant does not detect my location when I use Chromium browser.
 

[larsvontrier 1]

21 hours ago, SurprisedItWorks said:

Check Qwant settings.  It has a setting for the country to use to orient your search results.  Perhaps it defaulted to UK when you first used Qwant, way back before you were on a VPN.  (The last time I used Qwant though, via an Air server in a country not my own, I found the setting indicated the country of the Air server I was using.)

Yes, Qwant does have a 'Settings' menu - but I can't see any option for 'country'.

I have uninstalled Firefox and deleted the personal profile from my Home directory.
I then reinstalled Firefox - and the same problem occurs - whichever server I use on Airvpn, Qwant still gives me UK search results!

This is a little bit worrying.
Is there some setting I need to change on Firefox?

[SurprisedItWorks 47]

Looks like what I was remembering -- I see it in settings on qwant.com in firefox mobile -- is the two language settings, one for the interface and one for search results.  I noticed that when I used a Netherlands server, somehow the latter setting defaulted to Dutch and I got many results in that language.  I changed it to English and started getting mostly US (where I am) results, even on the same Dutch server.

Re changing firefox, visit ipleak.net, an AirVPN site, and look for "WebRTC Detection" for one way info can get out even on a vpn.  If you are leaking WebRTC info, it will tell you what to change in firefox about:config to fix it.

[larsvontrier 1]

4 hours ago, SurprisedItWorks said:

Looks like what I was remembering -- I see it in settings on qwant.com in firefox mobile -- is the two language settings, one for the interface and one for search results.  I noticed that when I used a Netherlands server, somehow the latter setting defaulted to Dutch and I got many results in that language.  I changed it to English and started getting mostly US (where I am) results, even on the same Dutch server.

Re changing firefox, visit ipleak.net, an AirVPN site, and look for "WebRTC Detection" for one way info can get out even on a vpn.  If you are leaking WebRTC info, it will tell you what to change in firefox about:config to fix it.

I have made the necessary change in 'about:config' on Firefox browser to prevent webRTC leaks (i.e. Type "about:config” in the address bar. Scroll down to “media.peerconnection.enabled”, double click to set it to false).
I have also made the modification for Chromium (i.e. Install WebRTC Network Limiter and change its setting to prevent leaks).

However, thank you I think you've helped me resolve the problem.

I am using Airvpn on desktop.
When I input 'qwant.com' on a search engine - it always redirects me to 'lite.qwant.com'.

On the Settings menu of Qwant search engine - I changed the language setting to French.
After that, all search results were for French websites.
If the language is changed to German - then all search results will be for German websites.

Once I changed the language setting back to 'English' - I realised it was giving me primarily UK outputs with some US outputs.
So it seems the reason Qwant is giving me UK websites is because I have the language setting on English.
It is not because there is a DNS leak on my FF browser while using Airvpn.

On Firefox browser, under Edit - Preferences - General - Network Settings, I have chosen the option for: 'Use system proxy settings'.
I expect this means the FF browser will work best with Airvpn.

Does anyone know what the correct setting should be when using Airvpn with FF?