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Tag: Anthony Chavez

  • Google Moves Back Its Execution Date for Third-Party Cookies to 2024

    Google Moves Back Its Execution Date for Third-Party Cookies to 2024

    Google has announced it will not stop supporting third-party cookies in Chrome until at least 2024 amid pushback over its proposals.

    Google has been working to eliminate third-party cookies and has been pushing Privacy Sandbox, touting it as a privacy-respecting alternative. Needless to say, not everyone is convinced, with the new protocol receiving plenty of pushback. In particular, because of Google’s dominance in search and the browser market, some are concerned about Google’s hand in developing something as critical as an ad tech to replace cookies.

    The company appears to be listening to some of the concerns.

    “The most consistent feedback we’ve received is the need for more time to evaluate and test the new Privacy Sandbox technologies before deprecating third-party cookies in Chrome,” writes Anthony Chavez, VP, Privacy Sandbox. “This feedback aligns with our commitment to the CMA to ensure that the Privacy Sandbox provides effective, privacy-preserving technologies and the industry has sufficient time to adopt these new solutions. This deliberate approach to transitioning from third-party cookies ensures that the web can continue to thrive, without relying on cross-site tracking identifiers or covert techniques like fingerprinting.”

    As a result, Google will not phase out third-party cookies until at least 2024.

    “By Q3 2023, we expect the Privacy Sandbox APIs to be launched and generally available in Chrome,” Chavez continues. “As developers adopt these APIs, we now intend to begin phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome in the second half of 2024. As always, you can find up-to-date timelines and milestones on the Privacy Sandbox website.”

  • Google Bringing Privacy Sandboxing to Android

    Google Bringing Privacy Sandboxing to Android

    Google is taking a page from Apple, laying the groundwork for privacy sandboxing in its Android operating system (OS).

    Sandboxing refers to a practice where apps cannot access the data from other apps. Instead, they’re sequestered into their own “silos.” This can have significant stability benefits, as apps cannot interfere with each other. There are also privacy and security benefits, as apps cannot access data from other apps.

    While Apple already has sandboxing in both macOS and iOS, Google is just now preparing to add the feature to Android.

    “Today, we’re announcing a multi-year initiative to build the Privacy Sandbox on Android, with the goal of introducing new, more private advertising solutions,” writes Anthony Chavez, VP, Product Management, Android Security & Privacy. “Specifically, these solutions will limit sharing of user data with third parties and operate without cross-app identifiers, including advertising ID. We’re also exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection, including safer ways for apps to integrate with advertising SDKs.”

    Google clearly wants to take a different approach than Apple, given their entire platform runs on advertising. As a result, the company wants to try to strike a balance between privacy and ad-based free services.

    “We realize that other platforms have taken a different approach to ads privacy, bluntly restricting existing technologies used by developers and advertisers,” Chavez continues. “We believe that — without first providing a privacy-preserving alternative path — such approaches can be ineffective and lead to worse outcomes for user privacy and developer businesses.

    “Our goal with the Privacy Sandbox on Android is to develop effective and privacy enhancing advertising solutions, where users know their information is protected, and developers and businesses have the tools to succeed on mobile. While we design, build and test these new solutions, we plan to support existing ads platform features for at least two years, and we intend to provide substantial notice ahead of any future changes.”