Firefox 120 to Ease Ability to Set Global Privacy Control

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USA

Firefox 120 to Ease Ability to Set Global Privacy Control

Mozilla released an “Intent to Ship” note disclosing that Firefox 120 will allow users to enable Global Privacy Control by either checking a checkbox in the Firefox privacy settings or by using Private Browsing mode (in which Global Privacy Control will be set by default).  

TAKEAWAY

Although Firefox currently supports the setting of Global Privacy Control, to do so requires following a set of complicated steps that are not intuitive. By simplifying the process, the number of Firefox users setting Global Privacy Control are likely to increase. Unlike the DuckDuckGo and Brave browsers though, Global Privacy Control is not set by default in Firefox, other than in Privacy Browsing mode. Chrome, Edge and Safari currently do not offer support of Global Privacy Control, other than through use of browser extensions. The setting of Global Privacy Control by users residing in certain states triggers (or will trigger, depending on the state) certain obligations of the websites that the users visit, such as opting the user out of the sale of the user’s personal information or use for targeted advertising.      

EUROPE

APD Publishes Checklist for Compliant Use of Cookies

The Belgian Data Protection Authority (APD) published a non-exhaustive checklist to help organizations ensure their cookie practices comply with current regulations.  The checklist includes step-by-step questions for organizations to ask to ensure consent for cookies is free, specific, informed, unequivocal and active, that withdrawing consent is as easy as giving it, and that appropriate data retention and documentation practices are followed. 

TAKEAWAY

Of particular note, the checklist includes not including an “accept all cookies” button without a “refuse all non-essential cookies” button at the same level, obtaining consent separately for each specific purpose and each joint controller (as disclosed on the first level), treating first-party vs. third-party advertising and profiling as distinct purposes, not using the same cookie for several purposes, and disclosing (in a lower level) the complete list of cookies used. 

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