Google Postpones Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Amid U.K. Regulatory Scrutiny

Google Postpones Third-Party Cookie Deprecation Amid U.K. Regulatory Scrutiny

April 25, 2024 at 03:01AM

Google is delaying the deprecation of third-party tracking cookies in its Chrome browser to address competition concerns from U.K. regulators over its Privacy Sandbox initiative. It aims to phase out cookies early next year and is working with the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority to achieve an agreement by the end of the year. This is the third extension since the plans were announced in 2020.

Key takeaways from the meeting notes include:
1. Google has postponed its plans to deprecate third-party tracking cookies in its Chrome web browser multiple times, aiming to phase them out early next year.
2. The Privacy Sandbox initiative seeks to offer privacy-preserving alternatives to tracking cookies and cross-app identifiers for tailored ads.
3. The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is closely monitoring the implementation of Privacy Sandbox to ensure consumer benefits and prevent favoritism towards Google’s advertising tech.
4. Apple and Mozilla have already discontinued support for third-party cookies.
5. A draft report from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) revealed potential gaps in Google’s proposed replacements for third-party cookies that could compromise user privacy.
6. Google is updating client-side encrypted (CSE) Google Meet calls to include support for inviting external participants without a Google account.

These key points capture the main developments and concerns discussed in the meeting regarding Google’s initiatives related to privacy and third-party tracking cookies.

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