Google is constantly trying to make its browser app, Chrome, better by bringing new features, like Gemini integration, or by adding new options. However, these may take time before they reach everyone. In one such instance, Google is reportedly testing a user-facing Global Privacy Control (GPC) setting in Chrome Canary.
Google Chrome is reportedly testing Global Privacy Control for better privacy
The new Global Privacy Control (GPC) setting, as spotted by Windows Report, lets users send an opt-out request to websites regarding the use of their data. The setting reportedly appears under Chrome’s Privacy and security section. Chrome says the request may affect the sale or sharing of users’ data, or how companies use that for ads, depending on local laws.
For context, Global Privacy Control is a browser setting that tells websites that a user wants to limit certain uses of their personal data. GPC communicates privacy requests such as “Do Not Sell or Share” under laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act. Chrome had previously supported GPC through experimental flags. But Google is now testing a setting that gives users a direct way to control the preference.
Chrome has two separate flags for this feature: Force Global Privacy Control Signal and Universal Opt Out Settings. The former enables the underlying GPC signal and is intended for testing. The latter enables the user-facing setting in Chrome’s Privacy and security section. However, it doesn’t yet fully activate GPC on its own. The Force Global Privacy Control Signal flag was still required for Chrome to send the Sec-GPC: 1 signal.
Still experimental
Chrome’s new opt-out setting includes an on/off toggle. It notes that websites, including Google, are responsible for determining how they respond to the request. That said, the report adds that the setting doesn’t automatically block all tracking or guarantee that every website will honor the preference. Its effectiveness depends on whether a website supports GPC and the privacy laws that apply to the user.
The Universal Opt-Out Settings flag is reportedly visible in recent Chrome Canary builds on Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and ChromeOS. However, the new Settings UI is reportedly appearing first on Android. The feature is still experimental and isn’t fully functional yet. Google is continuing to connect the new toggle to Chrome’s GPC support. It isn’t available in stable Chrome yet.
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