To Address Privacy Concerns, Google Tests New IP Protection Feature in Chrome What Is IP Protection? Initially known as “Gnatcatcher,” IP protection aims to conceal users’ IP addresses by routing traffic through privacy proxies to limit tracking and safeguard identities online. Why Users Need To Safeguard IP Addresses IP Protection addresses rising concerns over tracking via IP addresses without consent, forming part of Google’s effort to establish a comprehensive privacy ecosystem while maintaining functionality and safety. How IP Protection Works Users must opt in to use the feature, which targets specific domains for tracking behavior. Phase 0 testing involves Google-owned domains and U.S. IP addresses, using company-owned proxy servers. Future updates aim for more complex systems to enhance privacy. When Will It Be Available in Google Chrome? According to The Privacy Sandbox timeline, IP Protection is in the incubation stage, with Phase 0 possibly appearing in Chrome 122, scheduled for Beta in January 2024 and Stable Release in February 2024. This feature could significantly impact privacy, tracking, and online advertising. Featured image: viewimage/Shutterstock
To address user privacy concerns, Google is planning a phased rollout of a new IP Protection feature for Chrome users, aimed at safeguarding their identities online.
What Is IP Protection?
Initially introduced as "Gnatcatcher," IP Protection aims to mask users’ original IP addresses by routing their web traffic through privacy proxies. The primary objective is to reduce cross-site tracking and protect individual identities online.
Why Users Need To Safeguard IP Addresses
The introduction of IP Protection responds to increasing worries about covert tracking techniques, which use IP addresses to identify users without their consent. This feature is part of Google’s larger initiative to create a comprehensive privacy ecosystem that meets user needs while keeping the web functional and safe.
How IP Protection Works
Users interested in this feature will need to opt in initially. Once enabled, IP Protection will focus on specific domains for analyzing user behavior. Initially, the Phase 0 testing of IP Protection will only involve Google-owned domains and U.S.-based IP addresses, including popular services like Gmail and Google Voice. Google will deploy a single company-owned proxy server for initial routing during Phase 0. Future updates will introduce a more sophisticated 2-hop proxy system to enhance privacy further.
The experimental rollout will be gradual to allow adjustments and improvements, indicating that Google is cautiously assessing the impact of IP Protection and intends to refine the feature based on user feedback.
When Will It Be Available In Google Chrome?
According to The Privacy Sandbox timeline, IP Protection is currently in the early phase or incubation stage. A help page for Google Chrome Enterprise and Education users indicates that the Phase 0 rollout might debut in Chrome 122. The schedule for Chrome 122 suggests a Beta Promotion date of January 24, 2024, and a Stable Release date of February 20, 2024. This new feature could significantly influence the intersection of privacy, tracking, and online advertising.
Featured image: viewimage/Shutterstock
