Google's plan to block all cookies in Chrome takes a setback after CMA & ICO disagreement

Cookies have been an essential part of the Web since its early days, however, Google has unveiled its plan to phase out cookies for all Chrome users.

Although this sounds like an exciting endeavor that will change the Internet forever, it seems that it has been postponed.

Chrome will not block all third-party cookies, at least not until 2025

While cookies can be useful, they can be used for tracking users and other malicious intents, and Google wants to remove them entirely with features such as Google Privacy Sandbox.

With this feature, you would get targeted ads to Chrome users while limiting cross-site tracking.

This feature has been delayed since Google, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) didn’t reach an agreement, as ZDNet writes.

CMA is concerned that Google could benefit from user activity while preventing competitors from accessing the same data.

In such circumstances, Google could control the inclusion of competitors in the sandbox, which could lead to anticompetitive practices.

However, a CMA spokesperson has released a statement:

We welcome Google’s announcement clarifying the timing of third-party cookie deprecation.

This will allow time to assess the results of industry tests and resolve remaining issues. Under the commitments, Google has agreed to resolve our remaining competition concerns before going ahead with third-party cookie deprecation. Working closely with the ICO, we expect to conclude this process by the end of 2024.

Advertisers and industry groups are also concerned since limiting their third-party cookie access in Chrome will negatively impact their business.

Google has also released a statement on its Privacy Sandbox page:

Given both of these significant considerations, we will not complete third-party cookie deprecation during the second half of Q4.

We remain committed to engaging closely with the CMA and ICO and we hope to conclude that process this year. Assuming we can reach an agreement, we envision proceeding with third-party cookie deprecation starting early next year.

It’s not the question if Google will block third-party cookies, it’s when, and according to its statement, we can see this at the beginning of the next year.

In other news, Google is adding new privacy information in Chrome that should allow you to stay informed on how Chrome handles your data.

That’s now all, as the port randomization feature is being tested in Chrome, but we probably won’t see it soon.