Google is following in Apple’s footsteps by updating Android’s privacy settings. This move could have a significant impact on Facebook’s parent company Meta, especially since Apple’s privacy changes continue to haunt the company.
Many digital marketers and advertisers were taken aback by Apple’s previous changes, which allowed users to avoid being tracked by third parties across apps.
Alphabet, the parent company of the search giant, announced on Wednesday that it would impose new restrictions on apps that share user data with third parties, as well as certain other features that track user activity across multiple apps for marketing purposes.
The company also stated that it would continue to support its existing digital ad features for at least two years in order to give advertisers some leeway before making changes.
Why it’s Big
With Apple dominating the app market through its iOS mobile platforms and Google dominating the app market through its Android app store, any major changes made by either company to their operating systems or app stores can have a significant impact on the many developers and businesses that rely on their software and ecosystems.
In February, Meta blamed Apple’s privacy updates for the company’s disappointing financial results, which caused its market value to plummet by nearly $200 billion. While the company is still carrying the burden, Meta’s stock fell another 2% to $216.54 on Wednesday. Following this, it appears that the tech sector will be a free for all.
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