Google is taking steps to enhance user privacy by testing a new feature, IP Protection in Chrome, to shield user identities online.
Why is IP protection important?
Originally named “Gnatcatcher,” the IP Protection feature is designed to conceal your actual IP address. It does this by redirecting your online activities through privacy-focused proxy servers. The ultimate goal is to mitigate the risks associated with cross-site tracking and protect your online identity.
What sparked the need for IP protection?
The introduction of this feature comes as a direct answer to increasing worries about hidden tracking methods. These methods exploit IP addresses to identify users without obtaining explicit permission. This new feature is just one aspect of Google's broader strategy to create a full-fledged privacy framework. This framework aims to meet user demands for privacy while ensuring that the web remains a secure and functional space.
How will IP Protection work?
If you want to use this feature, you'll first need to opt in. Once you've done that, the IP Protection will focus on specific domains to monitor your online behaviour. According to a report by Bleeping Computer, the initial test phase, known as Phase 0, will only include Google's own domains and will target users with U.S.-based IP addresses. This includes popular services like Gmail and Google Voice and older domains such as plus.google.com and orkut.com.
For the first phase, Google will use a single, company-managed proxy server to handle the traffic. As testing progresses, Google plans to employ a more advanced 2-hop proxy system to bolster privacy further. This staged rollout allows Google to tweak and improve the feature based on user feedback.
When can you expect it in Chrome?
Per the Privacy Sandbox timeline, the IP Protection feature is still in its early stages. Information targeted at Google Chrome Enterprise and Education users indicates that the feature could debut in Chrome 122. The schedule for Chrome 122 shows a Beta Promotion date slated for January 24, 2024 and a Stable Release date set for February 20, 2024.
This forthcoming feature could mark a significant shift in the intersection of privacy, tracking, and online advertising.
