Welcome to Beyond The Click, where we delve into the latest tech news and its impact on you.
This time, we are discussing Google's recent decision to ditch its plans to remove third-party cookies from Chrome.
What are Cookies?
Firstly, let's break down what cookies are. Cookies are small pieces of data sent from a website and stored on the user's computer by the user's web browser while the user is browsing. They were designed to be a reliable mechanism for websites to remember information or to record the user's browsing activity.
That's right. Cookies are used for a variety of purposes, such as remembering your login details, personalising your browsing experience, and tracking your activities for advertising purposes. There are two main types of cookies: first-party and third-party cookies.
First-Party and Third-Party Cookies
So, what's the difference between first-party and third-party cookies?
First-party cookies are created by the website you're visiting directly. They help the site remember your preferences, like your login information or what's in your shopping cart. On the other hand, third-party cookies are created by domains other than the one you're visiting. These are usually used for tracking and advertising purposes, allowing advertisers to show you targeted ads based on your browsing history across different websites.
Google's Plan to Remove Third-Party Cookies
In 2019, Google launched the Privacy Sandbox initiative with the aim of improving online privacy on Chrome by restricting third-party cookies. The plan was to phase out these cookies.
Yes, Google's idea was to find alternative ways - such as the Federated Learning of Cohorts and its topics API - to serve relevant ads without compromising user privacy. The goal was to create a more privacy-friendly web environment without heavily impacting the digital advertising industry.
However, recently, Google announced a change in their approach. Instead of removing third-party cookies altogether, they will now introduce an opt-in system.
Yes, this new system will allow users to make an informed choice about their cookie settings across their web browsing experience and adjust those settings at any time.
Reactions and Future Implications
The reaction to Google's announcement has been mixed. The Competition and Markets Authority expressed concerns about the potential impact on competition, while the ICO showed disappointment, emphasising the importance of moving towards more private alternatives to third-party cookies.
9 сен 2024
