Google Drive to phase-out third-party cookies starting January 2024

Google Drive is preparing to phase out third-party cookies starting January 2024 in order to better protect user privacy. This will result in improved usability, security, and privacy for Drive users.

"Google Chrome and other browsers have begun phasing out third-party cookies in order to better protect user privacy. Starting January 2, 2024, Drive will start serving downloads without requiring third-party cookies. Serving downloads without requiring third-party cookies will work to improve usability, security, and privacy for Drive users," Google wrote in a blog post.

This update will impact Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.

For users who have specific workflows in place that rely on Google Drive's download URLs or use an app which relies on Drive's download URLs, they need to switch to the Drive and Docs publishing flows by January 2, 2024.

The Privacy Sandbox initiative aims to improve people's privacy across the Web and apps on Android. It reduces cross-site and cross-app tracking while helping to keep online content and services free for all. As part of this industry-wide effort, Google Chrome has started phasing out support for third-party cookies and proposing new functionality for cookies along with purpose-built APIs to continue supporting legitimate use cases while preserving user privacy.