Privacy advocates criticise Google over decision to allow companies to track users via digital fingerprints, which takes effect this week
News tracking
Google Delays Removal Of Third-Party Cookies, Again
For third time Google delays phase-out of third-party Chrome cookies after pushback from industry and British regulator
Google Settles $5bn Web Tracking Lawsuit
Settlement not disclosed after Google ends web tracking lawsuit with Chrome browser in “private” or “incognito” mode
Apple, Google Submit Proposal To Tackle AirTag Stalking
Tech giants Apple and Google agree rare partnership to tackle stalking problem via location-tracking devices
Amazon Opens Sidewalk Mesh Network To Third-Party Devices
Amazon opens its long-range, low-bandwidth mesh network known as Sidewalk, to any IoT device in the United States
ByteDance Admits Staff Obtained TikTok Data Of Journalists
Chinese parent of TikTok says some staff improperly accessed TikTok user data of two journalists and have been let go
Apple Updates AirTag Firmware Amid Stalking Lawsuits
Tech giant Apple opens up about a number of firmware updates for AirTags that continue to restrict the device's principle purpose
Twitter Suspends Account That Tracked Elon Musk’s Jet
U-turn by Elon Musk who said he would not ban jet tracking account, but has now suspended the account and threatened legal action
Google To Delete Location History Of Users Who Visit Abortion Clinics
Google to automatically delete location history of users who go near sensitive locations such as abortion clinics following Roe v Wade reversal
Teenager Who Tracked Elon Musk Jet, Now Tracking Russian Oligarchs
Jack Sweeney, famous for tracking the jets of Elon Musk, has now turned his attention to the private jets of Russian oligarchs
Google To Limit Ad Tracking On Android Apps
More bad news for advertisers? Google announces the Privacy Sandbox will be expanded from web browser and will include Android apps
Apple To Issue AirTag Warning Amid Stalking Fears
Tech giant Apple to issue setup warning after a number of high profile incidents where AirTags have been used to stalk people
Google Faces French 150m Euro Fine For Cookie Breach
French regulator imposes 150 million euros ($169m) fine on Googe, and 60m euros fine on Meta, over complexity about refusing online cookies
Google CEO Pichai To Be Questioned In $5bn Web Tracking Lawsuit
US federal judge rules CEO of search engine giant Google, Sundar Pichai, can be questioned over a lawsuit about tracking web browsing
Apple ‘May Be Working On Mobile Advertising Platform’
Anti-tracking tech in iOS 14.5 may be part of Apple plan to compete in online advertising against Facebook and Google, financial analysts say
Facebook Underreporting iOS Ad Results After Apple Privacy Change
Social networking giant Facebook says it is underreporting results of its advertising business on iOS devices after Apple privacy fight
Facebook Warns Of ‘Significant’ Slowdown In Growth
Social networking giant Facebook records fastest growth since 2016, but warns annual revenue growth will slow “significantly”
Firefox 90 Improves Tracking Blocking For Private Browsing
Latest web browser from Mozilla Foundation further improves private browsing thanks to version 2 of the SmartBlock feature
UK Watchdog Agrees ‘Oversight’ On Google’s Cookie...
Unhappy advertiser complaint sees CMA taking a key oversight role over Google’s planned removal of third-party cookies (i.e. its Privacy Sandbox project)
Apple Updates AirTags Over Stalking Concerns
Apple issues software update to AirTag tracking devices after users find they can be used to secretly follow people's movements
Apple iOS Update With Tracking Consent Prompts Mixed Reaction
Apple's release of its iOS 14.5 update this week requires app developers to ask user permission to track their activity online
Apple Unveils AirTag, Apple TV 4K, Purple iPhone 12
Apple's Spring Loaded event reveals AirTag, Apple 4K TV, as well as purple iPhone 12. Other announcements include a refresh of iPad Pro and iMac range,
Apple Teases New Devices With ‘Spring Loaded’ Event
New devices to be revealed next week may include new iPads, AirTags, or even augmented reality glasses, after Apple announces 'Spring Loaded' event
Google Has Not Updated Its iOS Apps For Two Months
No update for Google's iOS apps including Chrome, Photos, YouTube etc, after Apple insists on privacy 'nutrient label' requirement
Facebook App Pop-up To Explain Benefits Of Data Collection
Response to Apple privacy rule. Facebook testing new pop-up alert for iPhone apps, explaining benefits of data collection
Google Updates Plan To End Cookies In Chrome Browser
Look ma, no cookies. Google says it has made progress in effort to remove third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser
Google Faces UK Investigation Over Chrome Cookie Change
The UK's CMA opens investigation of Google’s proposals to remove third-party cookies and other functions from Chrome browser
Google To Add Privacy Labels To Its iOS App Portfolio
Bad news for advertisers. Search giant is to update all its iOS apps to carry Apple's privacy labels that will disclose how data is used
Facebook Slams Apple Advertising Changes
Fight, fight, fight. Apple's move to place 'privacy labels' on apps is slammed by Facebook, as feud erupts into the public
Apple Launches Privacy Labels For App Store Apps
Advertiser setback? Apple confirms apps on its App Store will now have to carry labels explaining how user data will be used