Aug 30 2018: Google reportedly bought Mastercard data to link online ads with offline purchases

Back in Aug 30 2018: Google reportedly bought Mastercard data to link online ads with offline purchases

Google has been secretly tracking the offline purchases of Mastercard holders in the US for the past year in order to assess the effectiveness of online ads in influencing offline purchases. The data is anonymized to protect personally identifiable information, and Google reportedly paid Mastercard millions of dollars for the data.

Users can opt-out of this tracking by adjusting their activity controls. This tracking tool allows retailers to understand if online ads result in real-life purchases, especially for items that are preferred to be tried before buying. Both Google and Mastercard emphasize that no personal information is shared.

Fast forward to Dec 15 2023: Chrome Will Start Blocking Websites From Tracking Us in January

Google Chrome will begin blocking third-party cookies for 1% of users on January 4, 2023, with plans to expand to all users by the end of 2024. This change is significant as cookies have been widely used to track online behavior.

While other browsers have already implemented similar measures, Google has been cautious due to its reliance on the online advertising industry. Blocking third-party cookies aims to protect user privacy, although some argue that this move gives Google an unfair advantage in advertising.

How will Google's decision to block third-party cookies in its Chrome web browser impact the way we navigate the online world and protect our privacy?