Google bows to CMA in cookies row

GOOGLE today offered concessions over the way it uses and stores customer data following an intervention by the competition watchdog.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it welcomed the commitments, designed to address concerns that hiding third-party tracking cookies from its popular Chrome browser risks squeezing competition in digital advertising markets.

The regulator said the proposed changes allow privacy to be improved without adversely affecting rivals.

Google has committed to greater transparency and engagement with the watchdog, alongside guarantees not remove certain functionality before third-party cookies.

Google has already announced a two-year delay on phasing out the third-party cookies for ad tracking on its browser until 2023 while it works with industry to ensure it is not given an unfair advantage.

Internal limits on the data that Google can use will be clarified and greater certainty to third parties developing alternative technologies will be given, the CMA said.

Google has also committed to improving reporting and compliance, including by appointing a CMAapproved monitoring trustee.

CMA chief executive Andrea Coscelli said: “We have always been clear that Google’s efforts to protect users’ privacy cannot come at the cost of reduced competition.

“We welcome Google’s co-operation and are grateful to all the interested parties who engaged with us during the consultation. If accepted, the commitments we have obtained from Google become legally binding.”

The firm has also committed to rolling the plans out globally if accepted.