Google has quietly taken a major step toward beefing up browser-level privacy. A new entry in the Chrome Platform Status shows that Google and the Chromium project are finally getting ready to support Global Privacy Control (GPC). This is a big deal because it’s a legally recognized signal that tells websites – automatically and right from your browser – to stop selling or sharing your personal data.
A privacy signal with legal weight
The idea behind Global Privacy Control is to let you make one single privacy choice that sticks. Once you turn it on, your browser sends a “hush” signal to every site you visit, instructing them not to trade your information. Unlike those annoying cookie banners that pop up on every page, GPC runs in the background. You set it once, and you’re done.
This isn’t just a “nice-to-have” feature; it has real legal teeth. California privacy law already recognizes GPC as a valid way to opt out, and starting in January 2027, a new law called the “Opt Me Out Act” will actually require all major browsers used in California to have this built-in. Google’s new move suggests that Chrome is finally moving to get ahead of that deadline. According to the filing, Chrome will follow the official W3C specs, which include a visible setting for users and a way for websites to detect the signal through a simple snippet of code.
Chrome plays catch-up on browser privacy
By doing this, Google is finally joining the club already occupied by privacy-focused browsers like Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo. For years, Chrome relied on “Do Not Track” (DNT), but that was essentially a polite request that websites were free to ignore. GPC is different because it’s backed by regulation. In fact, the California Attorney General has already handed out massive settlements – like the $1.2 million Sephora case – to companies that failed to respect these signals.
For the average person, this could eventually mean the end of managing consent pop-ups on every single website. Instead, your browser acts as your agent, enforcing your privacy preferences consistently across the web. It’s a much cleaner, more automated way to protect your data, especially if you live in a state where these rights are legally protected.
Looking ahead, Google’s entry is still technically a “work in progress” and doesn’t have a firm launch date yet. Privacy advocates are definitely going to be watching this closely, given how much of Google’s business relies on advertising. However, the signal is clear: we’re moving toward a future where browser-level privacy isn’t just an option for power users – it’s a legal requirement.
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