Google has launched its first-ever cookie-free browser, Chrome, and it’s a game-changer for the tech industry. The world’s most popular web browser is now cookie-free, starting with about 30 million people (1% of Chrome’s users) and Google’s goal is to go cookie-free completely by the year’s end, setting off a firestorm of debate about what the future holds for internet privacy.
Advocates of online privacy have long called cookies “the original sin” of the internet, as they are one of the primary tools used by tech companies to monitor user behavior. Third-party cookies, which are often created by companies such as Google, play an essential role in targeting users with targeted ads and various tracking tools that have become embedded in the internet’s infrastructure.
Google’s decision to phase out third-party cookies responds directly to mounting concerns about privacy abuses in the tech sector.
Google’s journey to remove third-party cookies from Chrome began in 2019 when Google launched a major project amid growing criticism of privacy issues facing major tech companies. Chrome is used by about 60% of the internet’s users, and this move is expected to have a significant impact on online privacy around the world.
“The Privacy Sandbox team’s mission is to protect people’s privacy across a free, open Internet,” said Victor Wong, Google’s Senior Director of Product Management for Privacy Sandbox. "This mission supports Google's larger mission of making information accessible to everyone and useful to them,"
January 4th, 2023 marks the first implementation of Google’s ambitious “Cookieless” plan. If you’re currently on a Cookieless web, you’ll see a pop-up in Chrome that introduces Google’s “Tracking Protection.” The little eyeball logo on the URL bar shows that Google has activated tracking protection.
You can also set your own cookie preferences in your Chrome settings. This gives you more control over how specific websites use cookies based on your preferences.
However, it’s important to remember that while Google is saying goodbye to 3rd party cookies, it isn’t saying goodbye to user tracking, either. Privacy Sandbox introduces new ways to track users, where devices store user data and users are grouped according to their online behavior. While advertisers can ask about users’ cohorts, individual browsing behavior is protected and adheres to Google’s strict privacy policies.
However, some argue that Google’s move doesn’t offer true privacy, as it turns the browser into an advertising agent instead of a user agent. Privacy campaigners, such as EFF, advocate for tools such as Privacy Badger to fight Chrome’s new tracking preferences. The debate continues, with Privacy Sandbox either viewed as too private by tech industry heavy-hitters or too private for privacy advocates.
As Google begins this new era of change, Victor Wong says, “We’ve set out on a journey that we believe is right for everyone, striving to make life better for consumers and the lives of creators, publishers, and developers.”
In conclusion, the cookie era is not entirely over, even though third-party cookies are saying goodbye. First-party cookies, crucial for website functionality, remain intact, ensuring a delicate balance between privacy and user experience in the ever-evolving landscape of the digital world. The implications of Google's move extend beyond mere technological adjustments, sparking discussions about the broader implications for online privacy, user rights, and the future trajectory of the digital ecosystem.