Tech giant changes direction after four years of pushback from advertisers and regulators
- Google reverses decision to eliminate cookies in Chrome browser
- Advertisers and regulators objected to the plan and proposed replacements
- Users will be prompted to decide whether to turn cookies on or off
- Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative to replace cookies faces challenges
Google has decided to keep the tracking technology known as ‘cookies’ in its Chrome browser, reversing a plan announced in 2020. The company faced objections from digital-advertising firms and regulators over its proposed replacements for cookies. Users will now be prompted to decide whether to turn cookies on or off. Google initially aimed to eliminate cookies within two years to protect user privacy but faced pushback from advertisers who claimed the shift would force them to spend more on Google’s digital-ad products. The U.K. Information Commissioner’s Office criticized Google’s proposed replacements as flawed, leading to delays in the cookie elimination timeline.
Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about Google’s decision to keep cookies in Chrome browser after facing objections from advertisers and regulators. It also mentions the reasons behind the decision and the impact on various stakeholders. The article is not sensationalist or misleading, and does not include any personal perspective presented as a universally accepted truth.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Google’s decision to keep cookies in its Chrome browser and explains the reasons behind it, including objections from advertisers and regulators. However, it could have provided more details on the implications of this decision for users’ privacy and the advertising industry.
Public Companies: Google (GOOGL), The Wall Street Journal ()
Key People: Anthony Chavez (Vice President of Google’s Privacy Sandbox), Patience Haggin (Writer)
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Advertising industry and digital advertising companies
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Google’s decision to keep cookies in its Chrome browser, which impacts the advertising industry and affects how digital advertisers operate. This has financial implications for these companies as it may affect their spending and strategies.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text. Google’s decision to keep cookies in its Chrome browser can be considered a minor impact due to disagreements with the advertising industry and concerns from regulators, but it does not have significant deaths, injuries, economic or infrastructure damage.
www.wsj.com 
