Digest: Google Chrome pulls back from new third-party cookie prompt rollout; Apple and Meta fined under EU’s Digital Markets Act

Today’s Digest looks at Google Chrome's decision to pull back from new third-party cookie prompt rollout, Apple and Meta’s fines under EU’s Digital Markets Act and Didomi's €72m acquisition of Addingwell 

Google Chrome pulls back from new third-party cookie prompt rollout

Google has scrapped plans to introduce a new standalone prompt for third-party cookies in Chrome. This will allow ad tech companies to continue using the targeting technology in the world’s most widely used browser. According to Anthony Chavez, VP of Privacy Sandbox at Google, “We’ve made the decision to maintain our current approach to offering users third-party cookie choice in Chrome, and will not be rolling out a new standalone prompt.”

The decision marks a significant reversal from the Chrome team’s earlier stance, announced in July 2023, which had set out a more structured timeline for the phase out of third-party cookies. 

Apple and Meta fined under EU’s Digital Markets Act

The European Commission has issued its first major fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), hitting Apple with a €500m (£428m) penalty and Meta with a €200m (£171m) fine for breaching the new regulations designed to curb the dominance of Big Tech companies. The sanctions follow a year-long investigation into whether the companies are in compliance with the DMA, and aims to create a more level playing field by giving smaller competitors greater access to markets currently dominated by the largest platforms.

The enforcement could further escalate tensions, with US President Trump previously threatening to impose tariffs on countries that penalise American tech firms. 

Didomi secures €72m to acquire Addingwell

Didomi has announced a €72m (£62m) funding partnership with Marlin Equity Partners to support the acquisition of Addingwell, a specialist in server-side tagging. The funding will purportedly enable Didomi to drive both organic and inorganic growth in order to further its mission to set new benchmarks for privacy-preserving data collection and activation.

Co-founders Romain Gauthier, Jawad Stouli, and Raphaël Boukris described the acquisition as a major milestone, stating, ‘The acquisition of Addingwell represents a significant milestone in our journey, reflecting a commitment to driving innovation and delivering enhanced value to our customers at a time when companies need to adapt to a demanding privacy context with the right approach and partner for their personal data strategy.’