Global Privacy Control (GPC)

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

Global Privacy Control (GPC) provides a browser-integrated specification to communicate users' privacy preferences, enabling a one-step opt-out experience for data sale or sharing.

Target Customer

Web users seeking to exercise privacy rights; publishers and website operators; browser developers and extensions; policymakers and regulators.

Key Differentiator

One-step, browser-based privacy signal that is supported by major browsers and public-facing publishers, with formalization through the W3C and public endorsements from regulators and lawmakers.

Implementation Timeline

Introduced April 2020; adopted as an official W3C Privacy Working Group work item in November 2024; currently implemented in several major browsers/extensions and used on thousands of sites.

Pain Points

1Users must opt out on each site individually using Do Not Sell/Do Not Share links.
2There is a lack of a uniform, user-controlled mechanism to express privacy preferences across sites and jurisdictions.
3Confusion and friction in exercising privacy rights across different regulations and platforms.

Key Features

1Signal-based privacy opt-out that can indicate Do Not Sell or Do Not Share preferences.
2Browser/extension integration across multiple major browsers (e.g., Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox).
3Back-end reference documentation and publisher guides for easy implementation.
4Support for cross-context rights in alignment with CCPA and GDPR interpretations.
5Public, standardized approach through the W3C Privacy Working Group.

Target Customer Industries

Decision Makers

1California Attorney General
2Senate Finance Chairman
3Governor of Virginia
4U.S. Senator (Virginia)
5Bermuda Privacy Commissioner

Client Results

1Over 150 million users have joined or used GPC-supported browsers/extensions.
2GPC is supported by browsers/extensions used on over 66,000 websites.
340 million consumers are reported to be using browsers and other privacy tools that support an opt-out signal.
4The New York Times and The Washington Post have pledged to respect GPC signals.
5GPC was introduced in April 2020 and adopted as an official W3C Privacy Working Group work item in November 2024.

Competitive Advantages

1One-step, browser-based mechanism to indicate privacy preferences, reducing user effort.
2Broad browser and publisher support increases likelihood of widespread compliance.
3Regulatory alignment with CCPA and GDPR interpretations provides legal relevance and credibility.
4Formalized through W3C standardization efforts, elevating interoperability.

Key Benefits

1Exercise privacy rights in one step across participating websites.

2Reduce friction from needing to click opt-out on every site individually.

3Leverage broad browser support and publisher endorsements for broader adherence.

Case Studies & Success Stories

GPC Privacy Browser Signal Now Used by Millions and Honored By Major Publishers

Case #1

Press and announcements highlight widespread usage and endorsements by major publishers; signals that The New York Times and The Washington Post pledge to respect GPC; regulators recognizing the approach as advancing consumer privacy rights.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

A proposed specification that enables a browser- or device-level signal to inform websites how to treat a user’s privacy preferences, including opt-out of data sales/shares and related rights across jurisdictions.

Target Market

Web users, website operators (publishers), browser vendors and extension developers, policymakers

Unique Value Proposition

A standardized, browser-integrated privacy signal backed by major publishers and regulators, enabling a universal, one-step method to exercise privacy rights across many sites.

Technical Requirements

A setting or extension in the browser or mobile device; supported by Brave, DuckDuckGo, Firefox (and other implementations); reference documentation and publisher guides available; ongoing standardization through the W3C.

Pricing Model

Not specified

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