Best I understand is that DDG may do localisation based on IP geolookup, but not specific geolocation.
The DuckDuckGo help pages address this specifically:
There may be cases when you want more accurate location-based results like local weather and restaurants. We can still serve results for searches like these (including instant answers and ads) while keeping you anonymous.
To do this, DuckDuckGo Search simply guesses your location using a GEO::IP lookup with the IP address that’s automatically sent to us via your device; then we throw away both the guessed location and the IP address, per our Privacy Policy, saving none of that info on our servers. Our default search experience was designed so that we don’t need to request any additional information than what you are already sending.
This process isn’t always accurate enough; for example, DuckDuckGo Search may end up assuming you’re hundreds of miles away from where you actually are, especially on mobile phone networks that route traffic through a central hub. That’s why we built an option that lets you improve the accuracy of your local search results.
<https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/privacy/anonymo...>
I keep my browser security settings pretty locked down, and explicitly reject sharing location data.[1] Yet if I do a generic search (say, "restaurant"), there are ... roughly localised results. Bouncing the modem (and obtaining a new IP) changes the location indicated. I've tested this with several queries that should provide pretty fine-grained localised results and ... as I reset my network connection these move around within the general local area.
NB, I'd written the following before checking DDG's help docs, and my assumptions appear accurate: Given the ways in which IP address location can be inferred, even with non-persistent IPs, I'd suspect that before accusing DDG of specific geolocation snooping.
(The fact that IPs can be and are used as proxies for location is itself problematic, but ... is far broader in scope than DDG's visible practice.)
Unless you've got something stronger to go on, or specific network traffic / cookie analysis, I'm going to call excess paranoia here. Not a bad sense to cultivate, but also one you don't want firing off half-cocked.
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Notes:
1. Firefox: Settings -> search "location", click "settings". I've just verified no sites permitted, new requests blocked.