Google Abandons Third-Party Cookie Deprecation; Channel 4 Establishes Data Partnership with Zoopla; UK Off Course to Meet Clean Power Targets

by Aimee Newell Tarín on 23rd Jul 2024 in News

On today’s news digest: Google Abandons Third-Party Cookie Deprecation; Channel 4 Establishes Data Partnership with Zoopla; UK Off Course to Meet Clean Power Targets

Putting an end to years of limbo for the advertising industry, Google has decided to abandon its plan to deprecate third-party cookies on its Chrome browser. The decision follows three delays of set deprecation dates. Instead of removing third-party cookies, Google plans to “introduce a new experience in Chrome that lets people make an informed choice that applies across their web browsing”, a blog post by Anthony Chavez, vice-president of Privacy Sandbox details. The Privacy Sandbox APIs will remain available; Chavez expresses that Google will continue investing in the solution to further improve privacy and utility. The tech giant is already in talks with regulators regarding the change.

In the broadcasting space, Channel 4 has established a data partnership with British residential property insights company, Zoopla. Through the partnership, Zoopla’s house price data will be shown on the broadcaster’s property show Worst House on the Street. Valuations and other insights about UK properties will be shown on-screen throughout each episode of the six-week-long season, which is expected to reach over 3 million adults in the region. Channel 4 views the move as a way to lead the way “in innovative brand integration to key audiences” – which is a key pillar of its Fast Forward strategy as they focus on becoming a digital-first streamer.

Looking at the latest in sustainability, an analysis by Cornwall Insight finds that the UK is not on course to meet the new Labour government’s clean energy targets for 2030. The analysis draws attention to the marked challenge of transitioning away from fossil fuel energy sources. According to the government’s current plans, wind and solar power will supply over 44% of Britain’s electricity by 2030 – an increase of over 30% from 2023. There’s currently a significant gap between these targets and the rate at which wind and solar farms are being built, due to factors such as the time needed for developers to get planning permission and connections to the electricity grid. Last week, the government was urged to give its new energy system operator full rein over deciding where large-scale energy projects should be constructed, and that these should gain immediate planning permission.