Google Forced To Allow Users To 'Reject All' Cookies After Violating EU Data Laws
Tired of digital cookies? If you're in Europe, good news is coming your way. Google has introduced a "reject all" button that disables cookie tracking for users. Google's dialog boxes were recently found to be in violation of EU data laws. Just earlier this year, France fined Google $170 million for using confusing language in cookie banners.
Google's old mechanism was misleading
Traditionally, the process to accept cookies on Google has been more straightforward compared to rejection options. So if you still try to reject cookies in most countries, Google will take you through multiple menus to reject them all. To accept the same cookies, Google uses a single button.
According to France's data protection agency CNIL, this mechanism was indirectly influencing users to accept cookies - something that eventually benefits Google's advertising business, The Verge reported.
Also read:?Google Is Killing All Call Recording Apps On Android In May: What's Changing?
Google's fresh cookie banners now give more balanced options. You can now "reject all" cookies, "accept all," or go through "more options." The new banners would be visible to users on Google Search and YouTube who are not logged in. If you're already signed into your Google account, then you need to adjust tracking options through Google's data and privacy menu.
"We¡¯ve kicked off the launch in France and will be extending this experience across the rest of the European Economic Area, the UK and Switzerland... Before long, users in the region will have a new cookie choice ¡ª one that can be accepted or rejected with a single click," Google product manager Sammit Adhya wrote in a blog post.
Cookies are now central to data privacy concerns as mega companies like Google have been found to prioritise profit over the privacy of users. To reject or accept cookies would give users more control. But as Google's case shows, companies could continue to gatekeep people's access to their own data by chaotic arrangement of these services.
Also read:?Google Is Integrating Meet Calls Straight Into Services Like Docs And Sheets
According to the European Centre for Digital Rights, 90% of users click on "accept all" while dealing with cookies but only 3% of them actually want to click "accept all."?These changes to Google's cookie tracking mechanism could empower individual users and embolden internet users to make data choices for themselves.
What do you think about cookies while browsing the web? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.?
References
Vincent, J. (2022, April 21). Google gives Europe a ¡®reject all¡¯ button for tracking cookies after fines from watchdogs. The Verge.?
