The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating Google’s plan to replace third-party cookies from its Chrome and Chromium browser engines with its tools as it could further squeeze out rivals in online ads.
Overhauling its ad data system is part of Google's “digital sandbox” set to be rolled out in 2022
Cookies to help businesses more effectively target advertising and fund free online content such as newspapers, but they can also be used to track users across the Internet.
But the competition watchdog said the changes could hurt publishers’ ability to generate income and undermine digital ad competition.
According to CMA CEO Andrea Coscelli, Google’s Privacy Sandbox proposals potentially impact publishers like newspapers and the digital advertising market while posing privacy concerns.
The CMA started the investigation after industry lobbying group, Marketers for an Open Web complained that Google's plan would deny publishers access to cookies they use to sell digital ads, cutting revenues by up to two-thirds.
Regulators will work with the UK’s privacy commissioner on investigating Google.
Google controls over 90 percent of the UK’s $10 billion search advertising market.
Other browsers such as Safari and Firefox have already started blocking third-party cookies.


US Egg Producers Settle Price Manipulation Probe, Agree to Pay $3.3 Million and Donate 53 Million Eggs
US Judge Seeks Explanation for DOJ’s Decision to Drop Gautam Adani Bribery Case
SK Hynix Prices Record U.S. ADR Offering at $149 After $200 Billion Investor Demand
SoftBank Corp Partners With Sierra to Expand AI Customer Support Across Japan
EU to Propose New Rules Limiting Children's Access to Social Media
Morgan Stanley Says China’s Reusable Rocket Progress Poses Long-Term Challenge to SpaceX
Apple Challenges India Antitrust Probe, Says CCI Copied Rivals’ Claims in App Store Case
Trinidad Businessman Dominic Hadeed Appeals Detention Over Alleged Assassination Plot
SK Hynix Shares Drop After Strong Nasdaq Debut Despite $26 Billion ADR Listing
In a rebuke to Trump, the Supreme Court rules that birthright citizenship is the law of the land
Wolfspeed Sues Navitas Over GaN and SiC Patent Infringement
Samsung to Launch First Yongin Chip Plant by 2029 as South Korea Speeds Up Semiconductor Hub
Apple Tests China's CXMT Memory Chips as DRAM Maker Gains Global Market Share
Bayer Wins Major U.S. Supreme Court Roundup Lawsuit, Shares Surge
Trump Administration Hands Over Key Evidence in Minnesota Immigration Shooting Investigations 



