TLDR:
- Google is expanding its digital tracking across devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles, starting February 16, 2025.
- This move reintroduces digital fingerprinting, a controversial method (which was criticized earlier by Google itself).
- Digital fingerprinting is harder to block than cookies, giving users fewer options to protect their data.
- Regulators, such as the UK’s ICO, warn this undermines user choice and privacy.
Introduction
Alright, so Google is gearing up for another privacy debacle. After delaying its phase-out of third-party cookies for we know how long, it now plans to expand its tracking empire to include digital fingerprinting. This will affect not just web browsers but also smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other connected devices. Regulators are raising alarms (fair so) about this shift.
Explanation
What is digital fingerprinting? Real quick: It’s a tracking method that collects small details about your device to create a unique identifier (like pieces to constract a puzzle) Unlike cookies, fingerprinting doesn’t leave visible traces you can clear. This makes it a powerful tool for advertisers but a nightmare for users.
Google justifies this change by pointing to "privacy-enhancing technologies", which it claims will balance user privacy with advertisers' needs. However, its fair to see this as a step back. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) warns fingerprinting will further reduce users' control over how their data is used.
Google argues that its approach will enable better ad targeting across an increasingly fragmented device landscape, including smart TVs and connected gaming platforms.
Impact and implications
For users, this change undermines the limited control they had with cookie-based tracking. Clearing browser data or using privacy-conscious settings won’t prevent fingerprinting. The new policy makes evading surveillance harder.
For businesses, this feels like a regulatory minefield. The ICO has already warned that fingerprinting must comply with transparency laws. Companies adopting these practices without careful consideration risk fines or other penalties.
This move highlights the ongoing struggle between big tech and user privacy. With growing public scrutiny, these aggressive tracking methods could backfire (let's hope it does).
Final thoughts
This change is again a reminder of the fact that Google is a data-devouring machine. Privacy-minded users might want to reconsider contributing to this system (cough Google Analytics cough cough).
At Simple Analytics, we built a privacy-friendly alternative to Google Analytics. We provide the insights you need without tracking users across the web (yes this is possible). Don't believe me? Just check it here.