Search engine/phone directory ixquick has announced it will no longer record user IP addresses in connection with their searches.

In July 2007, when concerns about search engines and privacy were high, ixquick stated its commitment to purge such data within 48 hours. The average amount of time a search engine stored user information was about 18 months.

Last month, Yahoo announced it would only store user data for 90 days. Other search engines, like Google and Ask, give users tools to purge their personal data when they see fit.

Last year privacy advocates marred Google in the press for surrendering the identity of an Orkut user, who posted vulgar comments about a politician, to Indian authorities. For its part, Google continues to maintain that stored user data isn't just a treasure trove of convictions for heavy-handed governments; more often, it improves individual search experiences.