Chrome Privacy Settings Guide for Mac

Configure Chrome's privacy and security features for better protection while browsing. This guide covers Privacy Sandbox controls, cookie management, and Enhanced Safe Browsing.

Chrome 139+
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sonoma
macOS Ventura

Privacy vs Functionality

Chrome's default settings prioritize functionality over privacy. These configurations help you achieve better privacy while maintaining website compatibility.

Third-Party Cookie Controls

Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies

Allow third-party cookies (Current Default)

Path: Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies | Default: Enabled

Permits cross-site tracking via cookies. Google abandoned plans to deprecate third-party cookies, leaving this choice to users.

Block third-party cookies

Path: Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies | Recommended: Enabled

Prevents most cross-site cookie-based tracking across all browsing sessions.

Website Compatibility

May break some websites, especially those using single sign-on (SSO) systems. You can add exceptions for specific sites if needed.

Block third-party cookies in Incognito mode

Path: Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies

Middle-ground option that restricts third-party cookies only in private browsing sessions.

Privacy Sandbox Controls

Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Ad privacy

About Privacy Sandbox

Privacy Sandbox is Google's replacement for third-party cookies. All features are enabled by default. Disabling them provides better privacy but may make ads less relevant.

Ad topics (Topics API)

Path: Chrome → Settings → Ad privacy → Ad topics | Default: Enabled | Recommended: Disabled for privacy

Chrome analyzes your browsing history to infer interest categories (e.g., "Fitness," "Cooking") and shares these with websites for targeted advertising.

You can view and remove individual topics if you keep this enabled.

Site-suggested ads (Protected Audience API)

Path: Chrome → Settings → Ad privacy → Site-suggested ads | Default: Enabled | Recommended: Disabled for privacy

Enables remarketing ads (showing ads from sites you've visited) without cross-site tracking. Websites can add you to "interest groups" stored in your browser.

You can view and block specific websites from this list.

Ad measurement (Attribution Reporting API)

Path: Chrome → Settings → Ad privacy → Ad measurement | Default: Enabled | Recommended: Disabled for privacy

Allows advertisers to measure campaign effectiveness (e.g., did an ad click lead to a purchase) using privacy-preserving techniques with added statistical noise.

Safe Browsing Configuration

Chrome → Settings → Privacy and security → Security → Safe Browsing

Standard protection

Path: Chrome → Settings → Security → Safe Browsing | Default: Enabled | Recommended: Keep enabled

Checks URLs against a local list of malicious sites. Sends hashed, partial URLs to Google through a privacy proxy that removes your IP address.

Enhanced protection

Path: Chrome → Settings → Security → Safe Browsing | Recommended: Only if needed

Provides superior security but sends significant data to Google:

  • Full URLs of every website visited
  • Samples of page content and download information
  • System information and extension activity
  • Data temporarily associated with your Google Account

Privacy Trade-off

Only enable "Enhanced protection" if you frequently encounter suspicious websites and are comfortable with the privacy trade-off.

Quick Setup Checklist

Test Your Chrome Privacy Setup

After configuring these settings, test Chrome to ensure your privacy is protected. Check what information Chrome reveals and verify tracker blocking is working.

Test Your Privacy Setup →