If you were looking forward to an Internet free of cookies, you’re going to be very disappointed: Google is officially cancelling its plans to kill cookies. The company announced the decision in a blog post Monday, citing feedback from regulators, publishers, developers, and individuals in the advertising industry. Google says that while the company still believes it can strike a balance between the online ad marketplace and user privacy, it understands the existing challenges in doing so with this many moving parts. The company says the transition requires significant work by many participants and will have an impact on publishers, advertisers, and everyone involved in online advertising. Even though Google isn't killing cookies for good, Chrome still lets you block them if you want to. To start, go to Privacy and Security in Chrome's settings. Under "Default Behavior" choose "Block Third-Party Cookies." Just be warned that without cookies enabled, some site features may not work. If you notice your websites functioning improperly, try changing this setting. You can always use "Block Third-Party Cookies" in Incognito mode if you would prefer to keep your private sessions cookie-free.
