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<!DOCTYPE html> <html class="govuk-template" lang="en">  <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta property="og:description" content="The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Google that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from investigating Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser."> <meta property="og:title" content="Investigation into Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes"> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes"> <meta property="og:type" content="article"> <meta property="og:site_name" content="GOV.UK"> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"> <meta name="description" content="The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Google that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from investigating Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser."> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slugs" content="competition"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-slug" content="competition"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-ids" content="8db04387-9076-4287-ab46-6a6695b593d7"> <meta name="govuk:taxon-id" content="8db04387-9076-4287-ab46-6a6695b593d7"> <meta name="govuk:taxonomy_level1" content="business-and-industry"> <meta name="govuk:organisations" content="<D550>"> <meta name="govuk:primary-publishing-organisation" content="Competition and Markets Authority"> <meta name="govuk:public-updated-at" content="2024-11-11T14:00:28+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:updated-at" content="2024-11-11T14:00:28+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:first-published-at" content="2021-01-08T10:31:28+00:00"> <meta name="govuk:content-has-history" content="true"> <meta name="govuk:content-id" content="44812acf-6f6a-4056-8e86-0924c33a203e"> <meta name="govuk:schema-name" content="specialist_document"> <meta name="govuk:rendering-app" content="government-frontend"> <meta name="govuk:publishing-app" content="specialist-publisher"> <meta name="govuk:format" content="cma_case"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <title lang="en"> Investigation into Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes - 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</div> </div> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </header> <div class=""> <div class="gem-c-layout-for-public__blue-bar govuk-width-container"></div> </div> <div id="wrapper" class="direction-ltr govuk-width-container"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-breadcrumbs"> <div class="govuk-!-display-none-print"> <nav data-module="ga4-link-tracker" aria-label="Breadcrumb" class="gem-c-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs govuk-breadcrumbs--collapse-on-mobile"> <ol class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"1","index_total":"2"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/">Home</a> </li> <li class="govuk-breadcrumbs__list-item"> <a data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"navigation","type":"breadcrumb","index_link":"2","index_total":"2"}' class="govuk-breadcrumbs__link" href="/cma-cases">Competition and Markets Authority cases and projects</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> </div> <main role="main" id="content" class="specialist-document" lang="en"> <span id="Top"></span> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds responsive-top-margin"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-l"> Investigation into Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes </h1> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <p class="gem-c-lead-paragraph">The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Google that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from investigating Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser.</p> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="metadata-logo-wrapper"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds metadata-column"> <div class="gem-c-metadata" data-module="gem-toggle metadata"> <dl class="gem-c-metadata__list"> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">From:</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition"> <a class="govuk-link" href="/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority">Competition and Markets Authority</a> </dd> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">Published</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition">8 January 2021</dd> <dt class="gem-c-metadata__term">Last updated</dt> <dd class="gem-c-metadata__definition"> 11 November 2024 — <a href="#full-publication-update-history" class="gem-c-metadata__definition-link govuk-!-display-none-print js-see-all-updates-link"> See all updates </a> </dd> </dl> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="app-c-important-metadata app-c-important-metadata--bottom-margin"> <dl class="app-c-important-metadata__list"> <dt class="app-c-important-metadata__term">Case type: </dt> <dd class="app-c-important-metadata__definition"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link--inverse" href="/cma-cases?case_type%5B%5D=ca98-and-civil-cartels">CA98 and civil cartels</a></dd> <dt class="app-c-important-metadata__term">Case state: </dt> <dd class="app-c-important-metadata__definition"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link--inverse" href="/cma-cases?case_state%5B%5D=open">Open</a></dd> <dt class="app-c-important-metadata__term">Market sector: </dt> <dd class="app-c-important-metadata__definition"><a class="govuk-link govuk-link--inverse" href="/cma-cases?market_sector%5B%5D=communications">Communications</a></dd> <dt class="app-c-important-metadata__term">Opened: </dt> <dd class="app-c-important-metadata__definition">7 January 2021</dd> </dl> </div> <div id="contents" class="app-c-contents-list-with-body" data-module="sticky-element-container"> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <nav data-module="ga4-link-tracker" aria-label="Contents" class="gem-c-contents-list govuk-!-margin-bottom-4" role="navigation"> <h2 class="gem-c-contents-list__title"> Contents </h2> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":1}' href="#latest-case-updates">Latest case updates</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":2}' href="#quarterly-reports">Quarterly reports</a> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__nested-list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":3}' href="#q2q3-2024">Q2/Q3 2024</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":4}' href="#q1-2024">Q1 2024</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":5}' href="#q4-2023">Q4 2023</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":6}' href="#q3-2023">Q3 2023</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":7}' href="#q2-2023">Q2 2023</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":8}' href="#q1-2023">Q1 2023</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":9}' href="#q4-2022">Q4 2022</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":10}' href="#q3-2022">Q3 2022</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":11}' href="#q2-2022">Q2 2022</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":12}' href="#first-quarterly-reports-2022">First quarterly reports 2022</a> </li> </ol> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":13}' href="#case-updates">2022 case updates</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":14}' href="#industry-testing">Industry testing</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":15}' href="#monitoring-trustee">Monitoring Trustee</a> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__nested-list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":16}' href="#appointment-of-technical-expert">Appointment of Technical Expert</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":17}' href="#appointment-of-monitoring-trustee">Appointment of Monitoring Trustee</a> </li> </ol> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":18}' href="#case-timetable">Case timetable</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":19}' href="#change-log">Change log</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":20}' href="#decision-to-accept-binding-commitments">Decision to accept binding commitments</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":21}' href="#consultation-on-modified-commitments">Consultation on modified commitments</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":22}' href="#consultation-on-commitments">Consultation on commitments</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":23}' href="#case-launch">Case launch</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":24}' href="#notes">Notes</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":25}' href="#personal-data">Personal data</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--parent"> <span class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item-dash" aria-hidden="true"></span> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link gem-c-force-print-link-styles govuk-link--no-underline" data-ga4-link='{"event_name":"select_content","section":"Contents","type":"contents list","index_total":26,"index_link":26}' href="#contacts">Contacts</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </div> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <div data-module="govspeak" class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak govuk-!-margin-bottom-0"> <h2 id="latest-case-updates">Latest case updates</h2> <p>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 Google’s revised approach, and possible implications for consumers and market outcomes, by 12 August 2024.</p> <p>Based on careful consideration of the responses we received, the CMA’s view is that competition concerns remain under Google’s revised approach. The CMA wants to ensure that these changes are made in a way which supports continued competition in digital advertising.</p> <p>The current commitments would need to be updated to reflect the evolution in Google’s planned Privacy Sandbox browser changes and the CMA is discussing with Google what changes would be required to address the CMA’s competition concerns.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The CMA will continue to work with the Information Commissioner’s Office (<abbr title="Information Commissioner's Office">ICO</abbr>) to consider privacy and user choice design concerns in relation to Google’s revised approach.</p> <h2 id="quarterly-reports">Quarterly reports</h2> <h3 id="q2q3-2024">Q2/Q3 2024</h3> <p>On 11 November 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a> accepted by the CMA in February 2022. The report sets out the CMA’s current views on the Privacy Sandbox tools. Also, it incorporates the Monitoring Trustee’s assessment of Google’s compliance with the relevant provisions of the commitments.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_544dc4ff-9b6a-4202-8891-fb7edf4fd0df" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6731ffb00d90eee304badaff/CMA_s_Q2_to_Q3_2024_report.pdf">CMA’s Q2 to Q3 2024 report (PDF, 967KB)</a></span> (11.11.24)</li> </ul> <p>The CMA also published Google’s 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.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_823cbddf-3a97-4854-8720-9798a482b2cb" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6731fad40d90eee304badaf6/Google_s_Q2_to_Q3_2024_report.pdf">Google’s Q2 to Q3 2024 report (PDF, 674KB)</a></span> (11.11.24)</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The <abbr title="Information Commissioner's Office">ICO</abbr> has been closely involved in this process, given that the aim is to ensure that both competition and privacy are protected.</p> <h3 id="q1-2024">Q1 2024</h3> <p>On 26 April 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span> accepted by the CMA in February 2022. This report sets out the progress made to date, including the CMA’s latest views on the potential impact of Google’s proposed Privacy Sandbox changes.</p> <p>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 Trustee’s Q1 2024 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_91d1ce4a-074d-4f0d-aa7b-44a5d733cc66" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662baa3efee48e2ee6b81eb1/1._CMA_Q1_2024_update_report_on_Google_Privacy_Sandbox_commitments.pdf">CMA’s Q1 2024 report (PDF, 858KB) </a></span> (26.4.24)</li> </ul> <p>We’ve also published Google’s 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.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_998128bd-4e5f-40e0-9e24-09141a6c1816" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662b63a26963baceeb225261/Google_s_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2024_Q1.pdf">Google’s Q1 2024 report (PDF, 572KB) </a></span> (26.4.24)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q4-2023">Q4 2023</h3> <p>On January 31 2024, the CMA published its update report for Q4 2023 on the implementation of <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q4 2023 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_65334d19-0603-427e-a258-4e38b94045e2" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6631088cd0030b10e56a5084/CMA_Q4_2023.pdf">CMA’s Q4 2023 update report (PDF, 743KB)</a></span> (31.1.24)</li> </ul> <p>We’ve also published Google’s 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.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_f714bc68-ce20-4575-a2fd-1ebd01b0d6f2" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ba1281ee7d4900139849fa/Google_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2023_Q4_pdfa.pdf">Google’s Q4 2023 report (PDF, 594KB)</a></span> (31.1.24)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q3-2023">Q3 2023</h3> <p>On 26 October 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q3 2023 on the implementation of <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q3 2023 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_4d95dcf1-04f0-4ff9-ae44-ca8525176c50" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a58e2e6c968000daa9b94/__Q3_2023_update_report____.pdf">CMA’s Q3 2023 update report (PDF, 357KB)</a></span> (26.10.23)</li> </ul> <p>We’ve also published Google’s 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.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_66e554e9-e8a5-44b0-b69c-d0ecdafbd9d0" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a491d80884d000df71b70/Google_s_Q3_2023_report_.pdf">Google’s Q3 2023 report (PDF, 401KB)</a></span> (26.10.23)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q2-2023">Q2 2023</h3> <p>On 27 July 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q2 2023 on the implementation of <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q2 2023 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_e96b64a6-6e18-47d1-b41b-08092263fd5b" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c234da7f0215000d88d857/Google_Sandbox_report.pdf">CMA’s Q2 2023 update report (PDF, 341KB)</a></span> (27.7.23)</li> </ul> <p>We’ve also published Google’s 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.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_a503d29b-4008-4861-a68e-ff0bbf3eb813" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c23822c97353000d3e56ac/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2023_Q2.pdf">Google’s Q2 2023 progress report (PDF, 628KB)</a></span> (27.7.23)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q1-2023">Q1 2023</h3> <p>On 27 April 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q1 2023 on the implementation of <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q1 2023 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_a34869f8-c8e4-4809-8346-808c7f306f62" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/644a82cd2f62220013a6a19b/CMA_s_Q1_2023_update_report.pdf">CMA’s Q1 2023 update report (PDF, 289 KB)</a></span> (27.4.23)</li> </ul> <p>We also published Google’s Q1 2023 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_4187a6ae-03ab-4a3d-ae5d-f8f6450cb531" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/644a36abc33b46000cf5e306/Google_s_Q1_2023_progress_report.pdf">Google’s Q1 2023 progress report (PDF, 428 KB) </a></span> (27.4.23)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q4-2022">Q4 2022</h3> <p>On 31 January 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q4 2022 on the implementation of <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q4 2022 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_1a86f093-5d34-4ec1-82b1-82cdc55dbbcb" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63d7b9a88fa8f5188ae8f788/CMA_update_report_-_January_2023__.pdf">CMA’s update report (PDF, 253 KB)</a></span> (31.1.23)</li> </ul> <p>We also published Google’s Q4 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_42955867-6c17-4bbe-803d-4cc85fa43a6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63d7b357e90e0773e17b27d3/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q4.pdf">Google’s Q4 progress report (PDF, 384 KB)</a></span> (31.1.23)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q3-2022">Q3 2022</h3> <p>On 27 October 2022, the CMA published its Q3 2022 update report on the implementation of <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a>. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q3 2022 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_aee83b6b-fbb7-4e2b-9963-22e4c01d479a" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63593c8fd3bf7f0bd21f3657/CMA_2nd_update_report.pdf">CMA’s update report (PDF, 983.98 KB)</a></span> (27.10.22)</li> </ul> <p>We also published Google’s Q3 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_093090a7-30e4-437e-9334-54a2dab0ef3d" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63592e16d3bf7f0bd41962bc/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022__1.pdf">Google’s Q3 progress report (PDF, 973KB)</a></span> (27.10.22)</li> </ul> <h3 id="q2-2022">Q2 2022</h3> <p>On 28 July 2022, the CMA published its first update report on the implementation of <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a> accepted by the CMA in February 2022. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q2 2022 report.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_e9efcf58-3d20-4ae9-b2bf-4b54da215348" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62e1662ee90e07142da0176f/CMA_update_report_-_Google_Privacy_Sandbox.pdf">CMA update report (PDF, 331KB)</a></span> (28.7.22)</li> </ul> <p>We also published Google’s Q2 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_1fd6f4d3-555d-4677-a926-92b1012f45e5" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62e14c98e90e0766a8081720/_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q2_.pdf">Google’s Q2 progress report (PDF, 809KB)</a></span> (28.7.22)</li> </ul> <h3 id="first-quarterly-reports-2022">First quarterly reports 2022</h3> <p>On 16 May 2022, Google provided us with its first report on its compliance with the <a rel="external" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">binding commitments accepted by the CMA (PDF, 141KB)</a> on 11 February 2022. The report covers the period from 11 February 2022 to 11 May 2022.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_9abe88e7-4079-48c7-b476-c2c1994bff56" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62835bfee90e071f6af1457e/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q1_1.pdf">Google’s Q1 progress report (PDF, 839KB)</a></span> (17.5.22)</li> </ul> <p>We also received an initial report from ING Bank, the Monitoring Trustee, with its assessment of Google’s compliance with those provisions of the commitments which relate to Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33).The report covers the period between 11 February 2022 and 16 May 2022.</p> <p>ING Bank did not identify any reportable concerns to the CMA.</p> <p>We are expecting to receive the future quarterly reports from Google and ING Bank to align with calendar quarters.</p> <h2 id="case-updates">2022 case updates</h2> <p>In February 2022, the CMA accepted <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span> to address its competition concerns resulting from its CA98 investigation into Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser. These commitments involve the CMA working with Google on the design and assessment of the Privacy Sandbox proposals before a final decision is taken to remove third-party cookies from Chrome. This page includes updates on implementation of the commitments, including regular update reports from the CMA and Google, and other relevant information for market participants.</p> <p>Note: Google’s Android Privacy Sandbox proposals do not fall within the scope of these commitments</p> <h2 id="industry-testing">Industry testing</h2> <p>On 26 October 2023, the CMA published additional guidance for ad techs, publishers, and advertisers intending to test the Privacy Sandbox tools. This guidance provides detail on how market participants should use Google’s planned testing modes in Chrome in order to generate results which are comparable and informative to our assessment.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_401808bf-9d6a-4493-98c9-2f57a03736a1" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a4bebe6c968000daa9b7b/Additional_guidance_to_third_parties_on_testing__.pdf">Additional guidance to third parties on testing (PDF, 166KB)</a></span> (26.10.23)</li> </ul> <p>On 29 June 2023, the CMA published a further guidance note to advise ad techs, publishers, and advertisers on how they can test the Privacy Sandbox tools in a way that would contribute to our assessment of Google’s technologies. We envisage most testing taking place between Q4 2023 and Q2 2024. The note provides details of two preferred approaches to testing, the metrics we would like to capture, and information market participants can submit to the CMA so we can understand results of testing. The note also describes how the CMA’s preferred testing approaches align with Google’s testing framework.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_f288a563-761b-46ce-ba06-8157864b911f" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/649d6a5f45b6a2000c3d455f/20230629_CMA_industry_testing_update_B.pdf">CMA guidance to third parties on testing (PDF, 417KB)</a></span> (29.06.23)</li> </ul> <p>On 3 November 2022, the CMA published a note which sets out the framework on how quantitative testing might inform our assessment of Google’s Privacy Sandbox proposals. We will be working with Google to further develop the ideas in this note and to design experiments which Google can carry out itself. Under the commitments, Google has committed to being transparent in reporting the results of its tests. At the same time, we also want to encourage other market participants to get involved in testing.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_491584e2-496f-445d-9d0d-8ef5c774d33d" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6363b00de90e0705a8c3544d/CMA_Experiments_note.pdf">Quantitative testing of Google’s Privacy Sandbox technologies (PDF, 272.75 KB)</a></span> (3.11.22)</li> </ul> <h2 id="monitoring-trustee">Monitoring Trustee</h2> <h3 id="appointment-of-technical-expert">Appointment of Technical Expert</h3> <p>On 26 September 2022, the CMA approved the appointment of S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting Limited by the Monitoring Trustee (ING Bank N.V.) as an independent Technical Expert to support the Monitoring Trustee in monitoring compliance with the following <a href="https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes#decision-to-accept-binding-commitments">provisions of the binding commitments accepted</a> by the CMA on 11 February 2022: Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33). The role of the Technical Expert is to provide specialised knowledge to support the Monitoring Trustee, particularly in relation to monitoring of data flows, and understanding the possible impacts of the Privacy Sandbox changes on ad tech markets.</p> <h3 id="appointment-of-monitoring-trustee">Appointment of Monitoring Trustee</h3> <p>On 23 March 2022, the CMA approved the appointment of ING Bank N.V. by Google as Monitoring Trustee to monitor compliance with those provisions of the binding commitments accepted by the CMA on 11 February 2022 which relate to Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33).</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_92838e34-2e29-4551-816e-466ce4ae2a9b" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6239a8468fa8f540f5c3c068/220323_-_CMA_Appointment_of_Monitoring_Trustee.pdf">Decision to approve the appointment of ING Bank as monitoring trustee (PDF, 107KB)</a></span> (23.3.22)</li> </ul> <p>ING Bank also has a role in engaging with interested stakeholders, where they have questions about the nature and scope of the parts of the commitments which it is supervising. ING Bank be reached via the following contacts:</p> <ul> <li> <p>ING Trustee Services <a href="mailto:trustee.services@ing.com">trustee.services@ing.com</a></p> </li> <li> <p>Matthew Hancox (Managing Director, Head of Trustee Services, <a href="mailto:matthew.hancox@ing.com">matthew.hancox@ing.com</a>)</p> </li> <li> <p>David Verroken (Director, Trustee Services, <a href="mailto:david.verroken@ing.com">david.verroken@ing.com</a>)</p> </li> </ul> <h2 id="case-timetable">Case timetable</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col">Date</th> <th scope="col">Action</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>11 February 2022</td> <td>CMA commitments decision published and case closure. Implementation of commitments commences</td> </tr> <tr> <td>December 2021 to February 2022</td> <td>CMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on modified commitments</td> </tr> <tr> <td>26 November 2021 to 17 December 2021</td> <td>Modified commitments consultation period</td> </tr> <tr> <td>26 November 2021</td> <td>Consultation opened on modified commitments proposed by Google</td> </tr> <tr> <td>October to November 2021</td> <td>CMA consideration of possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google</td> </tr> <tr> <td>June to September 2021</td> <td>CMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11 June 2021 to 8 July 2021</td> <td>Commitments consultation period</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11 June 2021</td> <td>Consultation opened on commitments proposed by Google</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 2021 to July 2021</td> <td>Initial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests. CMA analysis and review of information gathered</td> </tr> <tr> <td>January 2021</td> <td>Investigation opened</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="change-log">Change log</h2> <p>The following changes have been made to the case timetable since it was first published in January 2021:</p> <table> <thead> <tr> <th scope="col">Date of change</th> <th scope="col">Reason for change</th> <th scope="col">Change made to timetable</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>26 November 2021</td> <td>The CMA is consulting on modified commitments offered by Google</td> <td>Dates for modified commitments consultation period and estimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on modified commitments</td> </tr> <tr> <td>15 October 2021</td> <td>Additional stage needed, to consider possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google</td> <td>Estimated time needed for correspondence with Google about possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google</td> </tr> <tr> <td>30 July 2021</td> <td>Additional time needed to analyse representations</td> <td>Estimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11 June 2021</td> <td>The CMA is consulting on commitments offered by Google</td> <td>Date for commitments consultation period and estimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="decision-to-accept-binding-commitments">Decision to accept binding commitments</h2> <p>On 11 February 2022, the CMA published its decision to accept commitments from Google in relation to its proposals to remove third-party cookies (TPCs) on Chrome and develop its Privacy Sandbox tools.</p> <p>Formal acceptance of commitments by the CMA brought the investigation to an end, with no decision being made as to whether or not the Competition Act 1998 has been infringed.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_51073491-bf71-48c7-a2de-33ad989e224b" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c52e90e077f7881c975/Google_Sandbox_.pdf">Decision to accept commitments (PDF, 1.21MB)</a></span> (11.2.22)</li> <li> <span id="attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf">Google’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)</a></span> (11.2.22)</li> <li> <span id="attachment_6bce1d95-4457-417d-b6e5-9a4ec4047258" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c94e90e077f70b3fe86/100222_Appendix_1B_Comparison_of_final_commitments.pdf">Appendix 1B: Comparison of final commitments and modified commitments of November 2021 (PDF, 416KB)</a></span> (11.2.22)</li> <li> <span id="attachment_142ad59c-aaab-40ea-9a10-b46da40f0ec8" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62053776e90e077f7392d461/Google_Appendices_2__3_and_4.pdf">Appendices 2, 3 and 4 (PDF, 602KB)</a></span> (11.2.22)</li> <li>Press release: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-keep-close-eye-on-google-as-it-secures-final-privacy-sandbox-commitments">CMA to keep ‘close eye’ on Google as it secures final Privacy Sandbox commitments</a> (11.2.22)</li> </ul> <h2 id="consultation-on-modified-commitments">Consultation on modified commitments</h2> <p>On 26 November 2021, the CMA published a notice of intention to accept the modified commitments offered by Google and has invited representations from interested third parties on these modified commitments.</p> <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036204/211126_FINAL_modification_notice.pdf">Notice of intention to accept modified commitments offered by Google (PDF, 2.04MB)</a> (26.11.21)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-modified-commitments-in-respect-of-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes">Consultation on modified commitments in respect of Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes</a> (26.11.21)</li> <li>Press release: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-secures-improved-commitments-on-google-s-privacy-sandbox">CMA secures improved commitments on Google’s Privacy Sandbox</a> (26.11.21)</li> </ul> <p>Any person wishing to comment on the modifications to the commitments should submit written representations to:</p> <p>Angela Nissyrios and Simon Deeble at <a href="mailto:50972-Consultation@cma.gov.uk">50972-Consultation@cma.gov.uk</a> by 17 December 2021 at 5pm.</p> <p>Please quote the case reference 50972 in all correspondence related to this matter. Any non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation. Google has confirmed that it will not use any confidentiality provision with a party to prevent them from responding to this consultation.</p> <p>As detailed more fully in the related notice, the modified commitments:</p> <ul> <li>add obligations on Google regarding its transparency and consultation with third parties</li> <li>put in place a more transparent process through which Google will develop and test the Privacy Sandbox Proposals</li> <li>add commitments to address concerns about Google removing additional functionality or information before TPCs</li> <li>provide for a mechanism for the CMA to monitor Google’s adherence to any resolutions reached under the commitments</li> <li>clarify the internal limits on the data that Google is allowed to use for the purposes of targeting and measuring digital advertising</li> <li>improve the approach to addressing concerns about the potential for Google self-preferencing</li> <li>improve the provisions on reporting and compliance</li> <li>provide for a longer duration for any commitments</li> </ul> <h2 id="consultation-on-commitments">Consultation on commitments</h2> <p>On 11 June 2021, the CMA published a notice of intention to accept the commitments offered by Google and has invited representations from interested third parties.</p> <ul> <li> <span id="attachment_050f5300-a628-4a3a-927c-9f475fc58a55" class="attachment-inline"><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60c21e54d3bf7f4bcc0652cd/Notice_of_intention_to_accept_binding_commitments_offered_by_Google_publication.pdf">Notice of intention to accept binding commitments offered by Google (PDF, 839KB)</a></span> (11.6.21)</li> <li> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposed-commitments-in-respect-of-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes">Consultation on proposed commitments in respect of Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes</a> (11.6.21)</li> <li>News story: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-have-key-oversight-role-over-google-s-planned-removal-of-third-party-cookies">CMA to have key oversight role over Google’s planned removal of third-party cookies</a> (11.6.21)</li> </ul> <p>Any non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation. Google has confirmed that it will not use any confidentiality provision with a party to prevent them from responding to this consultation.</p> <p>The CMA is particularly interested to hear any views on whether the proposed commitments are sufficient to address the CMA’s competition concerns regarding:</p> <ul> <li>unequal access to the functionality associated with user tracking</li> <li>self-preferencing Google’s own ad tech providers and owned and operated ad inventory</li> <li>imposition of unfair terms on Chrome’s web users</li> </ul> <h2 id="case-launch">Case launch</h2> <p>On 7 January 2021, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by Google. The investigation concerns Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies (TPCs) on Chrome and replace TPCs functionality with a range of ‘Privacy Sandbox’ tools, while transferring key functionality to Chrome.</p> <ul> <li>Press release: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-investigate-google-s-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes">CMA to investigate Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes</a> (8.1.21)</li> </ul> <h2 id="notes">Notes</h2> <ul> <li>the investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998</li> <li>the CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections</li> <li>the CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has in fact been infringed</li> <li>further detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-cmas-investigation-procedures-in-competition-act-1998-cases">CMA8</a> </li> <li>changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made where the estimated timing changes</li> </ul> <h2 id="personal-data">Personal data</h2> <p>The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.</p> <p>You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority/about/personal-information-charter">CMA’s Personal Information Charter</a>.</p> <h2 id="contacts">Contacts</h2> <ul> <li>For press enquiries: <a href="mailto:press@cma.gov.uk">press@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> <li>Team email: <a href="mailto:privacysandbox@cma.gov.uk">privacysandbox@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> <li>Project Manager: Ioanna Batzoglou, 02037386729, <a href="mailto:ioanna.batzoglou@cma.gov.uk">ioanna.batzoglou@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> <li>Assistant Director: Angela Nissyrios, 020 3738 6821, <a href="mailto:angela.nissyrios@cma.gov.uk">angela.nissyrios@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> <li>Director: Chris Jenkins, 020 3738 6559, <a href="mailto:chris.jenkins@cma.gov.uk">chris.jenkins@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> <li>Senior Responsible Officer: Will Hayter, 020 3738 6728, <a href="mailto:will.hayter@cma.gov.uk">will.hayter@cma.gov.uk</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="responsive-bottom-margin"> <h2 class="govuk-visually-hidden">Updates to this page</h2> <div class="app-c-published-dates app-c-published-dates--history" id="full-publication-update-history" data-module="gem-toggle" lang="en"> Published 8 January 2021 <br>Last updated 11 November 2024 <a href="#full-history" class="app-c-published-dates__toggle govuk-link" data-controls="full-history" data-expanded="false" data-toggled-text="- hide all updates" data-module="ga4-event-tracker" data-ga4-event='{"event_name":"select_content","type":"content history","section":"Footer"}' data-ga4-expandable>+ show all updates</a> <div class="app-c-published-dates__change-history js-hidden" id="full-history"> <ol class="app-c-published-dates__list"> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2024-11-11T14:00:08.028Z">11 November 2024</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Latest progress update reports from the CMA and Google published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2024-09-24T13:01:47.142Z">24 September 2024</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Updated statement regarding Google’s revised approach, and project manager contact details updated.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2024-07-22T18:59:43.578Z">22 July 2024</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Update on Google’s approach to Privacy Sandbox published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2024-04-26T12:45:31.967Z">26 April 2024</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Q1 2024 update reports published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2024-01-31T13:58:33.653Z">31 January 2024</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Q4 2023 update reports published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2023-10-26T13:08:18.338Z">26 October 2023</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">CMA Q3 2023 update report and additional guidance published</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2023-07-27T12:58:45.105Z">27 July 2023</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Q2 2023 CMA report and Q2 2023 Google report published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2023-06-29T11:46:12.006Z">29 June 2023</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Guidance note published</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2023-04-27T12:58:40.218Z">27 April 2023</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Quarter 1 2023 progress report updated.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2023-01-31T14:01:38.186Z">31 January 2023</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Fourth quarterly reports for 2022 published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-11-03T14:02:47.846Z">3 November 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Update on proposals for testing published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-10-27T11:29:10.640Z">27 October 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">CMA's second update report and Google's Q3 progress report published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-10-05T10:20:22.607Z">5 October 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Appointment of technical expert published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-07-28T08:42:28.993Z">28 July 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Google's Q2 report and CMA progress report published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-05-17T13:21:10.404Z">17 May 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Google’s quarterly report and monitoring trustee report published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-03-23T09:58:10.306Z">23 March 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Appointment of monitoring trustee published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2022-02-11T06:54:33.350Z">11 February 2022</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Decision to accept binding commitments published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2021-11-26T07:01:55.878Z">26 November 2021</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Notice of intention to accept modified commitments and link to consultation published on the page.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2021-10-15T10:58:39.464Z">15 October 2021</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Updates made to case timetable.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2021-07-30T11:01:12.140Z">30 July 2021</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Update to the administrative timetable published.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2021-06-11T06:01:36.295Z">11 June 2021</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">Notice of intention to accept binding commitments published, link to public consultation on commitments added to the page.</p> </li> <li class="app-c-published-dates__change-item"> <time class="app-c-published-dates__change-date timestamp" datetime="2021-01-08T10:31:28.124Z">8 January 2021</time> <p class="app-c-published-dates__change-note">First published.</p> </li> </ol> </div> </div> </div> <div data-sticky-element class="app-c-contents-list-with-body__link-wrapper"> <div class="app-c-contents-list-with-body__link-container"> <a class="govuk-link app-c-back-to-top govuk-!-display-none-print" href="#contents"> <svg class="app-c-back-to-top__icon" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="13" height="17" viewbox="0 0 13 17" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <path fill="currentColor" d="M6.5 0L0 6.5 1.4 8l4-4v12.7h2V4l4.3 4L13 6.4z"></path> </svg> Contents </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-one-third"> <div class="gem-c-contextual-sidebar govuk-!-display-none-print"> <div class="gem-c-related-navigation govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="ga4-link-tracker"> <h2 id="related-nav-related_items-ece1878a" class="gem-c-related-navigation__main-heading"> Related content </h2> <nav role="navigation" class="gem-c-related-navigation__nav-section" 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src="/assets/static/application-8b506a2d97561cfc27d896eb0ff908d7687d034da7eaee59dd291c6c00bf5595.js" type="module"></script> <script src="/assets/government-frontend/application-01a60bd9634d5b54b3f79c12cb1b2d95f8b00bbd24b9b2cf897066f58f75f432.js" type="module"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes" }, "name": "Investigation into Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes", "datePublished": "2021-01-08T10:31:28+00:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-11T14:00:28+00:00", "text": "The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Google that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from investigating Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-b15a4d254746d1642b8187217576d1e8fe50b51352d352fda13eee55d3c1c80a.png" } }, "image": [ "https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-c3d38c0d4fc00005df38a71e1db7097276681d6917bca58f0dc8336a252e1bb3.png", "https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-edc38c137a14ecfc3fc83f404090e20dab806dad345c96a1df6a163ee2d1e3aa.png", "https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-5dc2d0ea1eb72cd94e66db210ef41b22ce364e7ed09d63a3acc28fda09e27864.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Competition and Markets Authority", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority" }, "isPartOf": [ { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "CreativeWork", "sameAs": "https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/digital-markets-unit" } ], "about": [ { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "https://www.gov.uk/business/competition" } ], "headLine": "Investigation into Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes", "description": "The CMA has accepted commitments offered by Google that address the CMA’s competition concerns resulting from investigating Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser.", "articleBody": "\u003ch2 id=\"latest-case-updates\"\u003eLatest case updates\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 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 Google’s revised approach, and possible implications for consumers and market outcomes, by 12 August 2024.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on careful consideration of the responses we received, the CMA’s view is that competition concerns remain under Google’s revised approach. The CMA wants to ensure that these changes are made in a way which supports continued competition in digital advertising.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe current commitments would need to be updated to reflect the evolution in Google’s planned Privacy Sandbox browser changes and the CMA is discussing with Google what changes would be required to address the CMA’s competition concerns.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CMA will continue to work with the Information Commissioner’s Office (\u003cabbr title=\"Information Commissioner's Office\"\u003eICO\u003c/abbr\u003e) to consider privacy and user choice design concerns in relation to Google’s revised approach.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"quarterly-reports\"\u003eQuarterly reports\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q2q3-2024\"\u003eQ2/Q3 2024\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 11 November 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e accepted by the CMA in February 2022. The report sets out the CMA’s current views on the Privacy Sandbox tools. Also, it incorporates the Monitoring Trustee’s assessment of Google’s compliance with the relevant provisions of the commitments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_544dc4ff-9b6a-4202-8891-fb7edf4fd0df\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6731ffb00d90eee304badaff/CMA_s_Q2_to_Q3_2024_report.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q2 to Q3 2024 report (PDF, 967KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.11.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CMA also published Google’s 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_823cbddf-3a97-4854-8720-9798a482b2cb\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6731fad40d90eee304badaf6/Google_s_Q2_to_Q3_2024_report.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q2 to Q3 2024 report (PDF, 674KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.11.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUnder 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cabbr title=\"Information Commissioner's Office\"\u003eICO\u003c/abbr\u003e has been closely involved in this process, given that the aim is to ensure that both competition and privacy are protected.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q1-2024\"\u003eQ1 2024\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 26 April 2024, the CMA published its latest update report on the implementation of \u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e accepted by the CMA in February 2022. This report sets out the progress made to date, including the CMA’s latest views on the potential impact of Google’s proposed Privacy Sandbox changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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 Trustee’s Q1 2024 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_91d1ce4a-074d-4f0d-aa7b-44a5d733cc66\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662baa3efee48e2ee6b81eb1/1._CMA_Q1_2024_update_report_on_Google_Privacy_Sandbox_commitments.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q1 2024 report (PDF, 858KB) \u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (26.4.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve also published Google’s 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_998128bd-4e5f-40e0-9e24-09141a6c1816\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/662b63a26963baceeb225261/Google_s_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2024_Q1.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q1 2024 report (PDF, 572KB) \u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (26.4.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q4-2023\"\u003eQ4 2023\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn January 31 2024, the CMA published its update report for Q4 2023 on the implementation of \u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q4 2023 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_65334d19-0603-427e-a258-4e38b94045e2\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6631088cd0030b10e56a5084/CMA_Q4_2023.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q4 2023 update report (PDF, 743KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (31.1.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve also published Google’s 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_f714bc68-ce20-4575-a2fd-1ebd01b0d6f2\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65ba1281ee7d4900139849fa/Google_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2023_Q4_pdfa.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q4 2023 report (PDF, 594KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (31.1.24)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q3-2023\"\u003eQ3 2023\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 26 October 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q3 2023 on the implementation of \u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q3 2023 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_4d95dcf1-04f0-4ff9-ae44-ca8525176c50\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a58e2e6c968000daa9b94/__Q3_2023_update_report____.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q3 2023 update report (PDF, 357KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (26.10.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve also published Google’s 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_66e554e9-e8a5-44b0-b69c-d0ecdafbd9d0\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a491d80884d000df71b70/Google_s_Q3_2023_report_.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q3 2023 report (PDF, 401KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (26.10.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q2-2023\"\u003eQ2 2023\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 27 July 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q2 2023 on the implementation of \u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q2 2023 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_e96b64a6-6e18-47d1-b41b-08092263fd5b\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c234da7f0215000d88d857/Google_Sandbox_report.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q2 2023 update report (PDF, 341KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.7.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe’ve also published Google’s 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.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_a503d29b-4008-4861-a68e-ff0bbf3eb813\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64c23822c97353000d3e56ac/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2023_Q2.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q2 2023 progress report (PDF, 628KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.7.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q1-2023\"\u003eQ1 2023\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 27 April 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q1 2023 on the implementation of \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q1 2023 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_a34869f8-c8e4-4809-8346-808c7f306f62\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/644a82cd2f62220013a6a19b/CMA_s_Q1_2023_update_report.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s Q1 2023 update report (PDF, 289 KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.4.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also published Google’s Q1 2023 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 March 2023.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_4187a6ae-03ab-4a3d-ae5d-f8f6450cb531\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/644a36abc33b46000cf5e306/Google_s_Q1_2023_progress_report.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q1 2023 progress report (PDF, 428 KB) \u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.4.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q4-2022\"\u003eQ4 2022\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 31 January 2023, the CMA published its update report for Q4 2022 on the implementation of \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q4 2022 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_1a86f093-5d34-4ec1-82b1-82cdc55dbbcb\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63d7b9a88fa8f5188ae8f788/CMA_update_report_-_January_2023__.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s update report (PDF, 253 KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (31.1.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also published Google’s Q4 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 October 2022 to 31 December 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_42955867-6c17-4bbe-803d-4cc85fa43a6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63d7b357e90e0773e17b27d3/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q4.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q4 progress report (PDF, 384 KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (31.1.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q3-2022\"\u003eQ3 2022\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 27 October 2022, the CMA published its Q3 2022 update report on the implementation of \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q3 2022 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_aee83b6b-fbb7-4e2b-9963-22e4c01d479a\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63593c8fd3bf7f0bd21f3657/CMA_2nd_update_report.pdf\"\u003eCMA’s update report (PDF, 983.98 KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.10.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also published Google’s Q3 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_093090a7-30e4-437e-9334-54a2dab0ef3d\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63592e16d3bf7f0bd41962bc/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022__1.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q3 progress report (PDF, 973KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (27.10.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"q2-2022\"\u003eQ2 2022\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 28 July 2022, the CMA published its first update report on the implementation of \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e accepted by the CMA in February 2022. The report incorporates the findings from the Monitoring Trustee’s Q2 2022 report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_e9efcf58-3d20-4ae9-b2bf-4b54da215348\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62e1662ee90e07142da0176f/CMA_update_report_-_Google_Privacy_Sandbox.pdf\"\u003eCMA update report (PDF, 331KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (28.7.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also published Google’s Q2 2022 report on its compliance with the binding commitments accepted by the CMA. The report covers the period from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_1fd6f4d3-555d-4677-a926-92b1012f45e5\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62e14c98e90e0766a8081720/_Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q2_.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q2 progress report (PDF, 809KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (28.7.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"first-quarterly-reports-2022\"\u003eFirst quarterly reports 2022\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 16 May 2022, Google provided us with its first report on its compliance with the \u003ca rel=\"external\" href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003ebinding commitments accepted by the CMA (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e on 11 February 2022. The report covers the period from 11 February 2022 to 11 May 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_9abe88e7-4079-48c7-b476-c2c1994bff56\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62835bfee90e071f6af1457e/Privacy_Sandbox_Progress_Report_to_the_CMA_2022_Q1_1.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Q1 progress report (PDF, 839KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (17.5.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe also received an initial report from ING Bank, the Monitoring Trustee, with its assessment of Google’s compliance with those provisions of the commitments which relate to Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33).The report covers the period between 11 February 2022 and 16 May 2022.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eING Bank did not identify any reportable concerns to the CMA.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe are expecting to receive the future quarterly reports from Google and ING Bank to align with calendar quarters.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"case-updates\"\u003e2022 case updates\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn February 2022, the CMA accepted \u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e to address its competition concerns resulting from its CA98 investigation into Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functionalities from its Chrome browser. These commitments involve the CMA working with Google on the design and assessment of the Privacy Sandbox proposals before a final decision is taken to remove third-party cookies from Chrome. This page includes updates on implementation of the commitments, including regular update reports from the CMA and Google, and other relevant information for market participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNote: Google’s Android Privacy Sandbox proposals do not fall within the scope of these commitments\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"industry-testing\"\u003eIndustry testing\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 26 October 2023, the CMA published additional guidance for ad techs, publishers, and advertisers intending to test the Privacy Sandbox tools. This guidance provides detail on how market participants should use Google’s planned testing modes in Chrome in order to generate results which are comparable and informative to our assessment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_401808bf-9d6a-4493-98c9-2f57a03736a1\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/653a4bebe6c968000daa9b7b/Additional_guidance_to_third_parties_on_testing__.pdf\"\u003eAdditional guidance to third parties on testing (PDF, 166KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (26.10.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 29 June 2023, the CMA published a further guidance note to advise ad techs, publishers, and advertisers on how they can test the Privacy Sandbox tools in a way that would contribute to our assessment of Google’s technologies. We envisage most testing taking place between Q4 2023 and Q2 2024. The note provides details of two preferred approaches to testing, the metrics we would like to capture, and information market participants can submit to the CMA so we can understand results of testing. The note also describes how the CMA’s preferred testing approaches align with Google’s testing framework.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_f288a563-761b-46ce-ba06-8157864b911f\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/649d6a5f45b6a2000c3d455f/20230629_CMA_industry_testing_update_B.pdf\"\u003eCMA guidance to third parties on testing (PDF, 417KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (29.06.23)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 3 November 2022, the CMA published a note which sets out the framework on how quantitative testing might inform our assessment of Google’s Privacy Sandbox proposals. We will be working with Google to further develop the ideas in this note and to design experiments which Google can carry out itself. Under the commitments, Google has committed to being transparent in reporting the results of its tests. At the same time, we also want to encourage other market participants to get involved in testing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_491584e2-496f-445d-9d0d-8ef5c774d33d\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6363b00de90e0705a8c3544d/CMA_Experiments_note.pdf\"\u003eQuantitative testing of Google’s Privacy Sandbox technologies (PDF, 272.75 KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (3.11.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"monitoring-trustee\"\u003eMonitoring Trustee\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"appointment-of-technical-expert\"\u003eAppointment of Technical Expert\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 26 September 2022, the CMA approved the appointment of S-RM Intelligence and Risk Consulting Limited by the Monitoring Trustee (ING Bank N.V.) as an independent Technical Expert to support the Monitoring Trustee in monitoring compliance with the following \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/investigation-into-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes#decision-to-accept-binding-commitments\"\u003eprovisions of the binding commitments accepted\u003c/a\u003e by the CMA on 11 February 2022: Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33). The role of the Technical Expert is to provide specialised knowledge to support the Monitoring Trustee, particularly in relation to monitoring of data flows, and understanding the possible impacts of the Privacy Sandbox changes on ad tech markets.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 id=\"appointment-of-monitoring-trustee\"\u003eAppointment of Monitoring Trustee\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 23 March 2022, the CMA approved the appointment of ING Bank N.V. by Google as Monitoring Trustee to monitor compliance with those provisions of the binding commitments accepted by the CMA on 11 February 2022 which relate to Google’s use of data (paragraphs 25 to 27), non-discrimination (paragraphs 30 to 31) and (with respect to those provisions) anti-circumvention (paragraph 33).\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_92838e34-2e29-4551-816e-466ce4ae2a9b\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6239a8468fa8f540f5c3c068/220323_-_CMA_Appointment_of_Monitoring_Trustee.pdf\"\u003eDecision to approve the appointment of ING Bank as monitoring trustee (PDF, 107KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (23.3.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eING Bank also has a role in engaging with interested stakeholders, where they have questions about the nature and scope of the parts of the commitments which it is supervising. ING Bank be reached via the following contacts:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eING Trustee Services \u003ca href=\"mailto:trustee.services@ing.com\"\u003etrustee.services@ing.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMatthew Hancox (Managing Director, Head of Trustee Services, \u003ca href=\"mailto:matthew.hancox@ing.com\"\u003ematthew.hancox@ing.com\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDavid Verroken (Director, Trustee Services, \u003ca href=\"mailto:david.verroken@ing.com\"\u003edavid.verroken@ing.com\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"case-timetable\"\u003eCase timetable\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDate\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eAction\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e11 February 2022\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCMA commitments decision published and case closure. Implementation of commitments commences\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDecember 2021 to February 2022\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on modified commitments\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e26 November 2021 to 17 December 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eModified commitments consultation period\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e26 November 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eConsultation opened on modified commitments proposed by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eOctober to November 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCMA consideration of possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eJune to September 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCMA consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e11 June 2021 to 8 July 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eCommitments consultation period\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e11 June 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eConsultation opened on commitments proposed by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eJanuary 2021 to July 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eInitial investigation: information gathering, including issue of formal or informal information requests. CMA analysis and review of information gathered\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eJanuary 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eInvestigation opened\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"change-log\"\u003eChange log\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe following changes have been made to the case timetable since it was first published in January 2021:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003cthead\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eDate of change\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eReason for change\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003cth scope=\"col\"\u003eChange made to timetable\u003c/th\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/thead\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e26 November 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eThe CMA is consulting on modified commitments offered by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDates for modified commitments consultation period and estimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on modified commitments\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e15 October 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eAdditional stage needed, to consider possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eEstimated time needed for correspondence with Google about possible modifications to the commitments offered by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e30 July 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eAdditional time needed to analyse representations\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eEstimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003e11 June 2021\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eThe CMA is consulting on commitments offered by Google\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd\u003eDate for commitments consultation period and estimated date for CMA’s consideration of representations received in response to the consultation on commitments\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"decision-to-accept-binding-commitments\"\u003eDecision to accept binding commitments\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 11 February 2022, the CMA published its decision to accept commitments from Google in relation to its proposals to remove third-party cookies (TPCs) on Chrome and develop its Privacy Sandbox tools.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFormal acceptance of commitments by the CMA brought the investigation to an end, with no decision being made as to whether or not the Competition Act 1998 has been infringed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_51073491-bf71-48c7-a2de-33ad989e224b\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c52e90e077f7881c975/Google_Sandbox_.pdf\"\u003eDecision to accept commitments (PDF, 1.21MB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.2.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_6a5032ad-d039-4996-883b-5053c6076c6c\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c6a8fa8f510a204374a/100222_Appendix_1A_Google_s_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eGoogle’s Privacy Sandbox commitments (PDF, 141KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.2.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_6bce1d95-4457-417d-b6e5-9a4ec4047258\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62052c94e90e077f70b3fe86/100222_Appendix_1B_Comparison_of_final_commitments.pdf\"\u003eAppendix 1B: Comparison of final commitments and modified commitments of November 2021 (PDF, 416KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.2.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_142ad59c-aaab-40ea-9a10-b46da40f0ec8\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/62053776e90e077f7392d461/Google_Appendices_2__3_and_4.pdf\"\u003eAppendices 2, 3 and 4 (PDF, 602KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.2.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePress release: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-keep-close-eye-on-google-as-it-secures-final-privacy-sandbox-commitments\"\u003eCMA to keep ‘close eye’ on Google as it secures final Privacy Sandbox commitments\u003c/a\u003e (11.2.22)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"consultation-on-modified-commitments\"\u003eConsultation on modified commitments\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 26 November 2021, the CMA published a notice of intention to accept the modified commitments offered by Google and has invited representations from interested third parties on these modified commitments.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1036204/211126_FINAL_modification_notice.pdf\"\u003eNotice of intention to accept modified commitments offered by Google (PDF, 2.04MB)\u003c/a\u003e (26.11.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-modified-commitments-in-respect-of-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes\"\u003eConsultation on modified commitments in respect of Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes\u003c/a\u003e (26.11.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePress release: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-secures-improved-commitments-on-google-s-privacy-sandbox\"\u003eCMA secures improved commitments on Google’s Privacy Sandbox\u003c/a\u003e (26.11.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAny person wishing to comment on the modifications to the commitments should submit written representations to:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAngela Nissyrios and Simon Deeble at \u003ca href=\"mailto:50972-Consultation@cma.gov.uk\"\u003e50972-Consultation@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e by 17 December 2021 at 5pm.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlease quote the case reference 50972 in all correspondence related to this matter. Any non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation. Google has confirmed that it will not use any confidentiality provision with a party to prevent them from responding to this consultation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs detailed more fully in the related notice, the modified commitments:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eadd obligations on Google regarding its transparency and consultation with third parties\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eput in place a more transparent process through which Google will develop and test the Privacy Sandbox Proposals\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eadd commitments to address concerns about Google removing additional functionality or information before TPCs\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eprovide for a mechanism for the CMA to monitor Google’s adherence to any resolutions reached under the commitments\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eclarify the internal limits on the data that Google is allowed to use for the purposes of targeting and measuring digital advertising\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eimprove the approach to addressing concerns about the potential for Google self-preferencing\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eimprove the provisions on reporting and compliance\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eprovide for a longer duration for any commitments\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"consultation-on-commitments\"\u003eConsultation on commitments\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 11 June 2021, the CMA published a notice of intention to accept the commitments offered by Google and has invited representations from interested third parties.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan id=\"attachment_050f5300-a628-4a3a-927c-9f475fc58a55\" class=\"attachment-inline\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60c21e54d3bf7f4bcc0652cd/Notice_of_intention_to_accept_binding_commitments_offered_by_Google_publication.pdf\"\u003eNotice of intention to accept binding commitments offered by Google (PDF, 839KB)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e (11.6.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-proposed-commitments-in-respect-of-googles-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes\"\u003eConsultation on proposed commitments in respect of Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes\u003c/a\u003e (11.6.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNews story: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-have-key-oversight-role-over-google-s-planned-removal-of-third-party-cookies\"\u003eCMA to have key oversight role over Google’s planned removal of third-party cookies\u003c/a\u003e (11.6.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAny non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation. Google has confirmed that it will not use any confidentiality provision with a party to prevent them from responding to this consultation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CMA is particularly interested to hear any views on whether the proposed commitments are sufficient to address the CMA’s competition concerns regarding:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eunequal access to the functionality associated with user tracking\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eself-preferencing Google’s own ad tech providers and owned and operated ad inventory\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eimposition of unfair terms on Chrome’s web users\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"case-launch\"\u003eCase launch\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn 7 January 2021, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by Google. The investigation concerns Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies (TPCs) on Chrome and replace TPCs functionality with a range of ‘Privacy Sandbox’ tools, while transferring key functionality to Chrome.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePress release: \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-to-investigate-google-s-privacy-sandbox-browser-changes\"\u003eCMA to investigate Google’s ‘Privacy Sandbox’ browser changes\u003c/a\u003e (8.1.21)\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"notes\"\u003eNotes\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ethe investigation is under Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ethe CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ethe CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has in fact been infringed\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003efurther detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-the-cmas-investigation-procedures-in-competition-act-1998-cases\"\u003eCMA8\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003echanges to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made where the estimated timing changes\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"personal-data\"\u003ePersonal data\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the \u003ca href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/competition-and-markets-authority/about/personal-information-charter\"\u003eCMA’s Personal Information Charter\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"contacts\"\u003eContacts\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eFor press enquiries: \u003ca href=\"mailto:press@cma.gov.uk\"\u003epress@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eTeam email: \u003ca href=\"mailto:privacysandbox@cma.gov.uk\"\u003eprivacysandbox@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eProject Manager: Ioanna Batzoglou, 02037386729, \u003ca href=\"mailto:ioanna.batzoglou@cma.gov.uk\"\u003eioanna.batzoglou@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAssistant Director: Angela Nissyrios, 020 3738 6821, \u003ca href=\"mailto:angela.nissyrios@cma.gov.uk\"\u003eangela.nissyrios@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eDirector: Chris Jenkins, 020 3738 6559, \u003ca href=\"mailto:chris.jenkins@cma.gov.uk\"\u003echris.jenkins@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSenior Responsible Officer: Will Hayter, 020 3738 6728, \u003ca href=\"mailto:will.hayter@cma.gov.uk\"\u003ewill.hayter@cma.gov.uk\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Competition and Markets Authority cases and projects", "@id": "https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>