Microsoft Edge introduces native Global Privacy Control support

Microsoft has integrated the Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal directly into its Edge browser. This feature allows users to automatically communicate their privacy preferences to websites, specifically requesting that their personal data not be sold or shared for targeted advertising.

Currently, the native GPC setting is limited to users in the United States, likely due to regional privacy legislation such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Microsoft notes that while the browser sends the signal, websites may still choose to ignore it, meaning the feature does not guarantee total protection against tracking.

In a parallel development, Google is testing native GPC support within the Chrome Canary experimental branch. While not yet available in the stable version of Chrome, the implementation involves adding specific HTTP request headers and JavaScript properties to allow websites to detect user privacy preferences.