It's Getting Easier for Google to Block All Cookies

 

Because the CNIL fined Google 150 million Euros ($170 million) in January, Google is making it easier for individuals to refuse all of the cookies it wants to put in their browsers.

Google, YouTube, and other websites "provide a button allowing the user to quickly accept cookies," according to the CNIL, but "do not give an equivalent solution (button or other) permitting the Internet user to simply refuse the deposit of these cookies." A concern, according to the regulator, is that it takes many clicks to reject cookies but just 

one click to accept them.

As a result, Google is working to correct the problem. "Anyone in Europe who visits Search or YouTube while logged out or in Incognito Mode will receive a new cookie consent choice soon," the firm said. "This upgrade, which started rolling out earlier this month on YouTube, will provide you equal 'Reject all' and 'Accept all' options in your selected language on the initial screen."

According to Google, the one-click "Reject all" option is already available in France and will soon be available in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the European Economic Area. Of course, because American privacy regulations aren't nearly as rigorous as their European counterparts, the adjustment doesn't appear to be finding its way to the United States. (Which doesn't appear to be changing anytime soon.)