{"id":308,"date":"2021-03-17T17:59:49","date_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.usercentrics.com\/?post_type=knowledge&p=8004"},"modified":"2025-09-26T13:38:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T11:38:32","slug":"google-chrome-privacy-sandbox","status":"publish","type":"knowledge","link":"https:\/\/usercentrics.com\/us\/knowledge-hub\/google-chrome-privacy-sandbox\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox: new standards for web privacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

In mid 2019, Google announced that it would implement measures in its Chrome browser to protect the privacy of website users. <\/span>This follows the same path as Apple with its <\/span>Safari browser<\/span><\/a> (Intelligent Tracking Protection) and <\/span>Mozilla with the <\/span>Firefox browser<\/span><\/a> (Enhanced Tracking Protection by default).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Google tested to see if the new measures were working, and the initial results were promising. What is particularly exciting is that according to initial test results of the newly developed technologies, such as the FLoC API, the conversion rate was 95%. More testing is underway. <\/span><\/p>\n

The countdown is on<\/strong>. Google has begun phasing out third-party cookies in Chrome, and even though the final deadline has been pushed back several times, they will eventually make a significant contribution toward ushering in an online landscape free of third-party cookies. The plan is not only for advertisers, non-Google adtech or website operators, but most importantly for users, to ensure a high level of data protection. <\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, you will find out what this means for advertisers and consumers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

What is the Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox? <\/h2>\n\n\n

The Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox is a set of measures designed to make certain types of personalized advertising on the web impossible. Respecting the privacy of website visitors is the focal point, by offering an alternative to third-party cookies.<\/p>\n

Here’s how it works: all user data is moved to the Chrome browser, where it is stored (in the Privacy Sandbox) and processed. Thus, the data remains on the user’s device and identifying information is not sent to Google or third parties.<\/p>\n

The Goals of the Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Create a privacy sandbox with an open set of standards for tracking users while preserving their privacy (e.g., through new browser APIs such as “trust tokens”);<\/li>\n
  2. Address current techniques for non-cookie-based cross-site tracking, such as fingerprinting (i.e. identifying an individual using a device\u2019s IP address without their knowledge and without the ability to opt out);<\/li>\n
  3. Replace cross-site tracking functionality with created APIs;<\/li>\n
  4. Delete of third-party cookies;<\/li>\n
  5. Strengthen first-party data strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    But what might an open, transparent, privacy-preserving digital world look like? One that relies largely on personalized advertising, but does so without the use of third-party cookies? Is there really a way to equally protect the privacy of users while still delivering targeted advertising? Before examining these questions, we should first take a closer look at the significance of third-party cookies.<\/p>\n\n\n

    The role of third-party cookies in the Google Chrome Privacy Sandbox<\/h2>\n\n\n

    Cookie technology can be categorized into first-party and third-party. <\/span><\/p>\n


    <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

    First-party cookies\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

    When visitors go to a website,<\/span> first-party cookies are set in the browser by the website provider. These cookies are used to provide a smooth user experience, as they can store information like passwords, and basic analytics data like\u00a0 how often the user visits your website.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Third-party cookies<\/b><\/p>\n

    Third-party cookies are tracking technology, placed on the website by parties other than the website operator. Third-party cookies enable the advertiser to get a detailed view of users\u2019 online behavior,\u00a0 such as frequently visited websites, purchases and interests. These types of cookies have been used by advertisers for years to track website visitors and collect data that can be used to serve targeted ads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Google Chrome\u2019s Privacy Sandbox<\/b> intervenes in this area and replaces third-party cookies with five newly developed APIs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    1. \u201cTrust Token API\u201d <\/b>(nti-Spam, anti-Fraud and anti-DoS);<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. \u201cFederated Learning of Cohorts API\u201d <\/b>(interest-based aggregate targeting via clustering)<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. \u201cFledge API\u201d <\/b>(retargeting);<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. \u201cClick-through Conversion Measurement Event-Level API\u201d <\/b>(conversion measurement; currently under development);<\/span><\/li>\n
    5. \u201cAggregated Reporting API\u201d <\/b>(conversion measurement; currently in development).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u00a0<\/p>\n\n

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      \n \n\n<\/svg>\n <\/div>\n
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      Although third-party cookies have seen better days, first-party cookies are not affected by these measures. Third-party cookies are becoming obsolete as the future of digital advertising becomes first-party cookies and APIs.<\/b><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

      Advertisers vs. website visitors: How can divergent interests be accommodated?<\/h2>\n\n\n

      Google<\/span><\/a> states that a users’ desire for more privacy, transparency, choice and control over how their data is processed will be met with the introduction of APIs. However, a digital world possibly without advertising sounds pretty far-fetched, given that advertising finances many of the platforms and services we use daily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      While the tracking of individual users will not be possible after the suspension of third-party cookies, this does not mean that it’s the end of personalized advertising on the web. Why? Because through the use of the various APIs, users are promised that their privacy will be maintained, and advertisers are promised that results will continue to be delivered. What does change is that third-party cookies will not provide advertisers with the same amount of user data as in the past.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Google aims to protect the privacy of users while continuing to serve the interests of advertisers, website operators and non-Google adtech, with the goal of creating harmony among all parties.<\/span><\/p>\n

      However, these proposed changes have not been universally lauded. Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), for example, has been controversial and has had its share of detractors since it was announced. <\/span>Read our FLoC article<\/span><\/a> for the full story.<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n\n\n

      Four things that advertisers and website provides should now keep in mind<\/h2>\n\n\n

      1.<\/strong> The introduction of Google Chrome\u2019s Privacy Sandbox measures only affect third-party cookies, and first-party cookies remain unaffected:<\/p>\n