Google is scrapping its planned changes for third-party cookies in Chrome

The Verge - Apr 22nd, 2025
Open on The Verge

Google has officially ended its plan to phase out third-party cookies in Chrome, a decision announced by Anthony Chavez, Google Privacy Sandbox VP. The company decided to continue offering users a choice regarding third-party cookies, rather than enforcing a cookie-less environment. This decision comes after years of criticism, including concerns from the Electronic Frontier Foundation about privacy violations and potential harm to advertisers. Last week, a U.S. judge accused Google of engaging in anticompetitive practices, while the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has been investigating Google’s proposals related to the Privacy Sandbox.

The Privacy Sandbox initiative, announced in 2020, aimed to block third-party cookies in Chrome by default, akin to Firefox and Safari. However, due to delays, regulatory scrutiny, and industry backlash, Google has opted against rolling out a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies. Critics, including the Movement for an Open Web, view this development as an admission of defeat, with Google abandoning its attempt to control digital advertising traffic. The move underscores the regulatory challenges Google faces in balancing privacy, competition, and innovation in the advertising technology space.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of Google's decision to maintain third-party cookies in Chrome, a topic of significant public interest due to its implications for privacy and digital advertising. It accurately presents the key developments and includes multiple perspectives, although it could benefit from more balanced representation of Google's viewpoint and greater transparency regarding the sources of its claims. The language is clear and accessible, but the inclusion of technical terminology without explanation may limit understanding for some readers. Overall, the article effectively informs readers about a complex issue, though it could enhance engagement and impact with deeper analysis and interactive elements.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately reports on Google's decision to maintain its current approach to third-party cookies in Chrome, as confirmed by statements from Google Privacy Sandbox VP Anthony Chavez. The claim about Google abandoning its plan to phase out third-party cookies aligns with the latest developments. However, the article could benefit from more precise details regarding the timeline of Google's plans and the nature of regulatory scrutiny, which are mentioned but not deeply explored. Specific claims, such as the US judge's ruling on Google's anticompetitive acts, are verifiable and supported by external sources.

7
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives, including those of Google, critics like the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Movement for an Open Web. However, it leans slightly towards emphasizing criticisms of Google's actions without equally exploring Google's rationale for its decisions. The inclusion of diverse viewpoints is commendable, but the article could enhance balance by providing more context on Google's perspective and the potential benefits of its Privacy Sandbox initiative.

8
Clarity

The language used in the article is clear and accessible, with a logical flow that helps readers understand the key developments in Google's plans regarding third-party cookies. The structure is straightforward, guiding the reader through Google's initial intentions, criticisms, and the eventual decision. However, some technical terms, such as 'Privacy Sandbox' and 'Topics API,' could benefit from brief explanations for readers unfamiliar with these concepts.

6
Source quality

The article references credible organizations such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation and the UK Competition and Markets Authority, which adds to its reliability. However, it lacks direct citations or links to primary sources, such as official statements from Google or the court ruling mentioned. This absence of direct sourcing slightly diminishes the perceived authority and thoroughness of the reporting.

5
Transparency

The article provides a general overview of the situation but lacks detailed explanations of the methodologies or underlying data supporting its claims. For instance, it mentions regulatory investigations and court rulings without detailing the specific findings or implications. Greater transparency in disclosing the basis for these claims and any potential conflicts of interest would enhance the article's credibility.

Sources

  1. https://cookieinformation.com/resources/blog/end-of-third-party-cookie/
  2. https://www.cookiebot.com/en/google-third-party-cookies/
  3. https://developers.google.com/privacy-sandbox/blog/cookie-countdown-2023oct
  4. https://www.scworld.com/news/3rd-party-cookies-here-to-stay-after-google-changes-privacy-plan
  5. https://stape.io/news/google-chrome-cookie-deprecation-starting-in-early-2025