The Booty Report

Arr, ye scurvy dogs! Google be finally sendin' those cursed tracking cookies to Davy Jones' locker! Listen up, ye bilge rats!

2023-12-15

Arrr, me hearties! Google Chrome be launchin' Tracking Prevention, a mighty fine feature that shall scuttle those pesky tracking cookies right from the start. No more spyin' on us, ye scurvy dogs!

Google has announced that it will be winding down support for third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser as part of its Privacy Sandbox project. This move aims to improve user privacy and prevent websites from tracking individuals as they browse different URLs. On January 4, 2024, Google will begin testing a new feature called Tracking Protection, which automatically blocks tracking cookies by default. However, if a website relies on cookies for proper functioning, Chrome will allow users to re-enable cookies for that specific site. Initially, Tracking Protection will only be rolled out to 1% of Chrome users, with the goal of completely blocking third-party cookies for all users by the second half of the year.

To ensure that essential functionality remains intact while still protecting privacy, Google has provided alternatives such as APIs for developers to use. Other browsers like Safari, Firefox, and Brave have already implemented similar restrictions on third-party cookies. Google's slower approach may be influenced by its vested interest in online advertising, as tracking cookies play a significant role in this industry. However, this allows Google to provide website owners with tools to ensure their sites continue to operate correctly, preventing them from resorting to paywalls or more covert tracking methods.

Given Chrome's popularity and widespread usage, Google's efforts to increase privacy will impact a large number of internet users and will likely be welcomed by privacy advocates. The gradual rollout of these changes means that a significant portion of users will experience a more private online experience by default.

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