Google's New Chrome Privacy Settings Let You Limit Ad Tracking, But You Have to Dig to Find Them

Google's new Chrome privacy settings let you turn off ad tracking features, but you have to dig into the settings to find them.
The new "Enhanced ad privacy" screen makes tracking sound pro-privacy. But you should turn off the ad topics, site-suggested ads, and ad measurement options.
You can access the settings at chrome//settings/adPrivacy or go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Ad Privacy.
Other browser options like Safari and Firefox may better protect your privacy. You can also use VPNs or third-party tools.
Google also added an "Enhanced Safe Browsing" feature to warn about suspicious sites. It's worth turning on despite some tradeoffs.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/6/2023

Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

Google's "Enhanced Ad Privacy" feature, which allows websites to target users with personalized ads based on their browsing history, is facing backlash as more people are being presented with the notification and expressing concerns about privacy. The feature, part of Google's Privacy Sandbox project, uses the Topics API to determine users' interests without relying on third-party cookies. However, some developers claim it may enable browser fingerprinting, and both Apple and Mozilla have expressed privacy concerns and declined to adopt it.

9/7/2023

Google Celebrates Chrome's 15th Birthday With a Makeover

Google is unveiling a new design for its Chrome browser on desktop, featuring a closer alignment with the design of Android and the rest of the Google suite, as well as new tricks to enhance the browsing experience and improved protection against malware and phishing threats.

9/7/2023

Google's Cookie Killing Tech Is Now on Almost Every Chrome Browser

Google's Privacy Sandbox, a set of tools and settings to replace third-party cookies, is now available to 97% of Chrome users, with plans to reach 100% in the coming months, marking a significant step towards a more private web.

9/7/2023

Google Rolls Out Enhanced Safe Browsing for All Chrome Users, Raises Some Privacy Concerns

Google is deprecating its standard Safe Browsing feature in Chrome and moving users to Enhanced Safe Browsing, which provides real-time phishing protection but raises privacy concerns.

9/10/2023

Google Pushes Ahead with Controversial Ad Topics API for Tracking and Ads Despite Privacy Concerns

Google is moving forward with its Ad Topics API, a web tracking and ad approach that brings Chrome closer to advertisers, despite objections from the industry, raising concerns about internet privacy and a conflict of interest for Google.

9/27/2023

Google Rolls Out ChromeOS 117 Update With Visual Redesign and Convenience Features

Google is releasing ChromeOS 117, bringing Material You design and several usability improvements to Chromebooks, including redesigned Quick Settings and a new notifications section with a privacy indicator.

9/30/2023

EFF Warns Chrome Users: Disable Privacy Sandbox to Protect Your Data from Google Tracking

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is urging users to disable certain Privacy Sandbox settings in Google Chrome or consider switching to Mozilla Firefox or Apple Safari in order to protect their online privacy, as Chrome's Privacy Sandbox does not actually provide true privacy or function as a sandbox.

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Posted 9/11/2023, 2:00:00 PM

Google's New Chrome Privacy Settings Let You Limit Ad Tracking, But You Have to Dig to Find Them

Google's new Chrome privacy settings let you turn off ad tracking features, but you have to dig into the settings to find them.
The new "Enhanced ad privacy" screen makes tracking sound pro-privacy. But you should turn off the ad topics, site-suggested ads, and ad measurement options.
You can access the settings at chrome//settings/adPrivacy or go to Chrome Settings > Privacy and Security > Ad Privacy.
Other browser options like Safari and Firefox may better protect your privacy. You can also use VPNs or third-party tools.
Google also added an "Enhanced Safe Browsing" feature to warn about suspicious sites. It's worth turning on despite some tradeoffs.

washingtonpost.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/6/2023

Google Chrome pushes browser history-based ad targeting

9/7/2023

Google Celebrates Chrome's 15th Birthday With a Makeover

9/7/2023

Google's Cookie Killing Tech Is Now on Almost Every Chrome Browser

9/7/2023

Google Rolls Out Enhanced Safe Browsing for All Chrome Users, Raises Some Privacy Concerns

Google is deprecating its standard Safe Browsing feature in Chrome and moving users to Enhanced Safe Browsing, which provides real-time phishing protection but raises privacy concerns.

9/10/2023

Google Pushes Ahead with Controversial Ad Topics API for Tracking and Ads Despite Privacy Concerns

9/27/2023

Google Rolls Out ChromeOS 117 Update With Visual Redesign and Convenience Features

9/30/2023

EFF Warns Chrome Users: Disable Privacy Sandbox to Protect Your Data from Google Tracking