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Google’s U-Turn on Privacy: What’s behind the decision to keep third-party cookies?
This action is taken in spite of earlier promises made to improve web privacy by means of the Privacy Sandbox project.
Photo Credit: AP
Google recently reconsidered its decision about removing third-party cookies from the Chrome browser, which has drawn condemnation from all quarters and raised privacy concerns.
This action is taken in spite of earlier promises made to improve web privacy by means of the Privacy Sandbox project.
The arguments
Critics argue that Google has betrayed its commitments made since 2020 by reversing its decision to remove third-party cookies. The initial promise was to stop supporting cookies, but this promise hasn’t been kept, leaving users feeling frustrated and mistrustful.
Privacy Concerns
Third-party cookies have long been criticised by privacy activists for their potential to follow users around the internet. It is believed that even with an opt-in approach, the ongoing use of these cookies will not adequately guarantee user privacy.
Advertiser Influence
The plan to replace cookies was delayed and eventually abandoned, indicating that Google is caving in to pressure from advertising. Google’s decision was probably influenced by the advertising industry’s dependence on third-party cookies for targeted adverts.
User Choice vs. Default Safety
Although Google states that the new opt-in approach “elevates user choice,” others contend that real privacy ought to be the norm and not require users to consciously choose it.
Comparison with Apple
The increased demand for privacy among consumers is demonstrated by Apple’s active marketing of Safari as a private browser. Google is under pressure from Apple’s billboards and alerts on Chrome’s data collection practices to give user privacy a higher priority.
Trust Issues
Trust difficulties are made worse by the ongoing controversies surrounding Google’s data policies, especially information concerning data collecting in Incognito Mode. Users and privacy groups demand that digital corporations take more direct and open approach to protecting their privacy.
The facts
Reversing its earlier promises, Google declared that it will not remove and replace third-party cookies in its Chrome browser. The program, called Privacy Sandbox, sought to replace third-party cookies with a technology that prioritises privacy.
Public outcry over the decision has resulted from many believing that Google misled them when it first promised to remove third-party cookies by the beginning of 2022.
Additionally, the IT company is now recommending an opt-in approach that would let consumers decide what information they want to be tracked while they browse the web.
Google aims to interact with the industry during the deployment and is currently exploring this new course with regulators.
Google was confident in replacing cookies and has previously committed to improving web privacy through the Privacy Sandbox effort.
Due of the slow pace at which advertisers were creating alternatives, Google changed their approach.
Apple has been touting the privacy benefits of its Safari browser over Chrome in response to Google’s dubious data harvesting methods.
Google highlights that the privacy options in Chrome are designed to provide consumers control over their data while also ensuring data security.
