Google’s plans to scrap cookies facing major scrutiny

Privacy advocates and the US government find Google’s plan difficult to swallow

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The US Department of Justice (DoJ) is reportddlt quizzing advertising industry executives to determine whetherGoogle’s plans to ban tracking cookies in order to protect theprivacyof its users, has an element of anti-competitive behavior.

Google initially announced its plans tophase out tracking cookieslast year and has since been trying to impress upon privacy advocates that there’s nothing mischievous about the move and that it really isno longer interestedin tracking users.

Even as privacy groups remain skeptical about the move, sources toldReutersthat the DoJ investigators are speaking to various individuals and businesses in order to determine if the cookie ban is just another ploy by Google to elbow out its rivals.

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Concerns all around

Google last year announced plans for a newPrivacy Sandboxfeature as part of its move to help users block tracking cookies.

It soonattracted the wrathof the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which opened an investigation into the mechanism after receiving a number of complaints. One, from a group of newspaper publishers and technology companies, alleges that Google’s new privacy proposals will have a significant negative impact on the online advertising sector.

Reportedly the DoJ’s questions, which may not lead to legal action, are along the same lines as well. Based onReutersconversations with four anonymous persons, it appears the DoJ is interested to figure out if there are any loopholes in Google’s plans that will allow it to continue to track users while axing similar efforts by other third-parties.

Via:Reuters

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