Google's announced timeline for new privacy policy

Google has announced a timeline for implementing new privacy standards that will limit third-party use of a digital tool known as cookies.

Cookies track users' internet activity and allow digital publishers to target advertising.

Tech firms have faced pressure to increase privacy protections amid mounting data breaches.

But analysts say the move gives Google more control over the digital ad market where it is already a major player.

Alphabet - Google's parent company - makes the majority of its revenue from ad sales.

To make advertising more personal web browsers collect small bits of information that allow them to create a profile of the users likes and online habits.

What are cookies?

Cookies are a digital tool that tracks an individual's internet activity. The small piece of data is stored by web browsers like Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari while users surf the internet. They record information like what websites have been visited, items that have been added to a digital shopping cart or information that has been filled into digitals forms, such as names and passwords.

Companies use this to find out about individuals' activities on the internet. Web publishers use them to determine what advertising to target to a particular person.

The new policy known as "privacy sandbox" will mean third-party ad sellers will need to go through Google to get information about internet users.

But critics say that is an advantage that makes the market less fair and safe.

"This presents a core problem from a competition perspective. It is yet another ..

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