Q4 2022: Update from CMA & Google on Privacy Sandbox
The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has shared Google’s latest quarterly report, updating on its compliance with binding commitments made in...
Learn morePosted on: Friday 11 February 2022 | IAB UK
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that Google’s revised package of commitments to address competition concerns over Privacy Sandbox have been accepted
The CMA’s decision to accept Google’s revised commitments follows a year-long investigation into concerns that proposals put forward by Privacy Sandbox - which is working to develop alternative identity solutions to third-party cookies - could weaken competition within the digital ecosystem.
Since the investigation was launched in January 2021, the CMA has been working closely with Google and the rest of the market to understand how its concerns can be addressed. Following two public consultations and a revised set of commitments from Google, the CMA has accepted the new proposals and Google has said that they will be rolled out globally.
This decision brings the investigation to a close,and the CMA states that it is working closely with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) to oversee the development of the proposals, so that they protect privacy without unduly restricting competition and harming consumers.
Google’s commitments include:
You can find a full list of the commitments here. Commenting on the decision, the CMA’s Chief Executive, Andrea Coscelli, said: “The commitments we have obtained from Google will promote competition, help to protect the ability of online publishers to raise money through advertising and safeguard users’ privacy.
While this is an important step, we are under no illusions that our work is done. We now move into a new phase where we will keep a close eye on Google as it continues to develop these proposals. We will engage with all market participants in this process, in order to ensure that Google is taking account of concerns and suggestions raised.”
Google has published a blog post, explaining that its commitments address the CMA’s concerns in three main principles: “First, the changes we will make in Chrome in the context of the Privacy Sandbox initiative will apply in the same way to Google’s advertising products as to products from other companies. Second, we will design, develop and implement Privacy Sandbox with regulatory oversight and input from the CMA and the ICO. And third, we will inform the CMA in advance of our intention to remove third-party cookies and agree to wait for their feedback on whether any competition law concerns remain.”
Read the full blog post for further detail on the commitments and how Google will continue to work with the CMA. Google has also laid out further detail on how it will be engaging with third-parties here.
The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has shared Google’s latest quarterly report, updating on its compliance with binding commitments made in...
Learn moreRead the latest updates on how Privacy Sandbox is developing testing and what to expect in 2023
Learn moreThe Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has worked with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Ofcom, social media companies and content creators...
Learn moreThe Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has published Google’s quarterly report, updating on binding commitments made in relation to Privacy Sandbox
Learn moreDiscover why digital advertising is effective for reaching your customers and building brands.