noyb Files GDPR Complaint Against Google’s Privacy Sandbox
EU privacy campaigner noyb has lodged a GDPR complaint against Google’s Privacy Sandbox, alleging that enabling a “Privacy Feature” in the Chrome browser led to undesired tracking by the US tech giant. The Privacy Sandbox API, introduced by Google in 2023 as part of its strategy to eradicate third-party tracking cookies, empowers website developers to showcase tailored ads without depending on these cookies.
Despite Google’s assertion of enhancing privacy, noyb contends that the tracking persists within the browser itself, necessitating informed consent from users, which prompts questions about transparency and fairness. Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative encounters hurdles, with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority expressing concerns regarding privacy and competition, resulting in Google postponing the phase-out of third-party cookies in Chrome until early 2025.
EU privacy advocate noyb has raised objections against Google’s Privacy Sandbox, alleging that activating a “Privacy Feature” in the Chrome browser led to unwarranted tracking by the US tech giant. The Privacy Sandbox API, unveiled by Google in 2023 to eliminate third-party tracking cookies, enables website developers to exhibit personalized ads without reliance on such cookies. While Google claims to bolster privacy through this initiative, noyb argues that tracking continues within the browser itself, necessitating explicit consent from users, thereby sparking debates around transparency and fairness. Google faces setbacks in its Privacy Sandbox efforts, as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority voices concerns over privacy and competition, prompting Google to defer the elimination of third-party cookies in Chrome until early 2025.
The EU privacy advocacy group noyb has filed a GDPR complaint against Google’s Privacy Sandbox, citing concerns over the activation of a “Privacy Feature” in the Chrome browser that resulted in unwanted tracking by the US tech giant. Introduced by Google in 2023 to eradicate third-party tracking cookies, the Privacy Sandbox API offers website developers an alternative for displaying customized ads without relying on these cookies. Despite Google’s claims of bolstering privacy measures, noyb asserts that tracking activities persist within the browser itself, necessitating explicit user consent and raising issues related to transparency and fairness. Challenges emerge for Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority flags concerns about privacy and competition, leading to the postponement of phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome until early 2025.
noyb, a prominent EU privacy campaigner, has officially lodged a GDPR complaint against Google’s Privacy Sandbox, alleging that the activation of a “Privacy Feature” within the Chrome browser resulted in unapproved tracking activities by the US tech giant. Introduced by Google in 2023 to eliminate third-party tracking cookies, the Privacy Sandbox API provides website developers with tools to present tailored advertisements without relying on these cookies. Despite Google’s claims of enhancing user privacy, noyb contends that tracking mechanisms persist within the browser itself, requiring clear user consent and prompting discussions on transparency and fairness. Google faces challenges with its Privacy Sandbox initiative as the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority expresses concerns regarding privacy and competition, leading to the postponement of third-party cookie deprecation in Chrome until early 2025.
Source: Google faces GDPR complaint over Privacy Sandbox
