Competition Markets Authority
class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak govuk-!-margin-bottom-0">
Latest case updates
On 22 July 2024, Google announced that it is changing its approach to Privacy Sandbox. Instead of removing third-party cookies from Chrome, it will allow users to choose whether to retain third party cookies. The CMA invited stakeholders to share their initial views on Googles revised approach, and possible implications for consumers and market outcomes, by 12 August 2024.
Based on careful consideration of the responses we received, the CMAs view is that competition concerns remain under Googles revised approach. The CMA wants to ensure that these changes are made in a way which supports continued competition in digital advertising.
The current commitments would need to be updated to reflect the evolution in Googles planned Privacy Sandbox browser changes and the CMA is discussing with Google what changes would be required to address the CMAs competition concerns.
If the CMA is not able to agree changes to the commitments with Google which address the competition concerns, then the CMA will consider what further action may be necessary. The CMA will publicly consult before taking any decision on whether to accept changes to the commitments, and is aiming to do this in Q4 2024. The CMA also plans to provide an update at that time on its assessment of testing and trialling results. The CMA published its latest views on the Privacy Sandbox tools on 11 November 2024.
The CMA will continue to work with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) to consider privacy and user choice design concerns in relation to Googles revised approach.
Quarterly reports
Q2/Q3 2024
On 11 November 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of Googles Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB) accepted by the CMA in February 2022. The report sets out the CMAs current views on the Privacy Sandbox tools. Also, it incorporates the Monitoring Trustees assessment of Googles compliance with the relevant provisions of the commitments.
- (11.11.24)
The CMA also published Googles progress report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024.
- (11.11.24)
Under the commitments, Google is required to report on the progress of the Privacy Sandbox proposals, its interactions with the CMA and third parties, as well as the approach taken to address concerns raised. We are publishing the full report to inform third parties of developments on the Privacy Sandbox.
We have a role in supervising Google to ensure that the Privacy Sandbox is developed in a way that benefits consumers. As part of this role, we have continued to engage with Google on the design and development of the proposals.
The ICO has been closely involved in this process, given that the aim is to ensure that both competition and privacy are protected.
Q1 2024
On 26 April 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of accepted by the CMA in February 2022. This report sets out the progress made to date, including the CMAs latest views on the potential impact of Googles proposed Privacy Sandbox changes.
It summarises stakeholder responses to the call for input following our Q4 2023 report and highlights areas where competition concerns remain. The report also incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustees Q1 2024 report.
- (26.4.24)
Weve also published Googles Q1 2024 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024.
- (26.4.24)
Q4 2023
On January 31 2024, the CMA published its update report for Q4 2023 on the implementation of . The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustees Q4 2023 report.
- (31.1.24)
Weve also published Googles Q4 2023 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023.
- (31.1.24)
Q3 2023
On 26 October 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q3 2023 on the implementation of . The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustees Q3 2023 report.
- (26.10.23)
Weve also published Googles Q3 2023 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 July 2023 to 30 September 2023.
- (26.10.23)
Q2 2023
On 27 July 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q2 2023 on the implementation of . The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustees Q2 2023 report.
- (27.7.23)
Weve also published Googles Q2 2023 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 April 2023 to 30 June 2023.
- (27.7.23)
Q1 2023
On 27 April 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q1 2023 on the implementation of Googles Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB). The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustees Q1 2023 report.