Safari’s New Feature Aims to Block Website Cookies

A New Step Toward Privacy

Apple has announced significant updates for the Safari browser in the beta versions of iOS 27.3, iPadOS 27.3, and macOS 27.3. The most notable change is a new feature hidden within the settings called Global Privacy Control (GPC). This tool allows users to automatically send a request to websites, instructing them not to sell or share personal data with third parties.

Activating the feature is straightforward: navigate to Settings, then Apps, Safari, and finally the Advanced section. The company warns users that enabling this setting may cause some websites to function incorrectly or stop working altogether. Although the system includes a link for further information, it is not yet active, which will likely be resolved by the official release.

What This Means for Users

Global Privacy Control is often described as a modern, more effective version of the legacy "Do Not Track" standard. Its primary goal is to allow users to set their privacy preferences once, avoiding the need to manually manage tiresome cookie consent banners on every website. It is an effort to make web browsing more comfortable and less intrusive.

However, the reality is currently more complex than simply flipping a switch. For the feature to work fully, websites must support the GPC standard themselves. While some platforms have begun implementing it, much of the internet is not yet prepared for such automation. Furthermore, this technology currently holds legal weight in only five U.S. states.

Other Safari Updates

Beyond the new privacy tool, the iOS 27.3 update for Safari includes other significant features. The browser is receiving Vertical Tabs, which will simplify navigation when multiple pages are open, as well as an Adaptive Dark Mode and new AI-powered capabilities for Siri. These changes confirm Apple’s commitment to making Safari more competitive with other modern browsers.

For users in Georgia, while the global impact of GPC remains limited, this move is a positive development. Apple’s establishment of privacy standards often encourages other tech giants to follow suit and implement similar protection mechanisms on their own platforms. Over time, the popularisation of such features could become a standard in the Georgian web space, ultimately raising the level of personal data protection online.