Individual cookie controls are removed from Privacy and Security in Chrome 97

Google’s web browser, Chrome, soon has reduced functionality when it comes to managing cookies in the Security and privacy menu entry in the browser settings.

Currently, when you open Settings> Privacy and security> Cookies and other site data> View all cookies and site data, Chrome displays all cookies that a site individually set once a site has been selected on the page that is load.

Chrome users can also load chrome: // settings / siteData directly to jump to this page right away.

The admin page supports the removal of individual cookies from a site and can be used to display vital information about a specific cookie.

Deleting individual cookies can be useful in some cases. Developers can use it to test the functionality of the site, non-developers to delete cookies from sites that may be invasive to privacy, to change the functionality of the site or restore some functions on the sites.

Google is removing the option to view and delete individual cookies from the Settings page mentioned above. Instead, the company will replace it with chrome: // settings / content / all, which lists the number of cookies each site has set, but does not offer an option to view or delete individual cookies.

Google claims that the change “creates a clearer experience for users.” Users can “accidentally change the implementation details” of the sites and “potentially disrupt your experience on that site” by deleting individual cookies. Some users could even “risk compromising part of their privacy protection by incorrectly assuming the purpose of a cookie” according to the company.

Google goes on to claim that developers use the functionality primarily and that the ability to delete individual cookies is still available in the browser’s Developer Tools.

Problems

Google is removing the functionality of Chrome. While it is true that cookies can be managed through development tools, it is clear that the option is not as simple as using the Settings application. You must open the site in question to access its cookies and storage, while you can open the page in Settings to manage all cookies on all sites in Chrome.

It is not clear if Google will keep the cookie list when users activate the icon in front of the site in the browser’s address bar.

It’s a regression, one that is removing a useful option from Chrome. Even developers may prefer the old way of managing cookies set in Chrome instead of using the developer tools for that.

Google is rolling out the change in the beta version of Chrome 97. The change is likely to land in Chrome 97 Stable, unless bugs are discovered that prevent inclusion in the stable version.

Now you: What is your opinion on the change?

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