MOW Takes a Stand Against W3C to Protect Web Publisher Interests

The Movement for an Open Web (MOW), a vocal advocacy group for web publishers, is locking horns with the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) over its proposal to abolish third-party cookies. This bold move raises concerns about favoritism and competitive equity. According to The Register, in July 2025, MOW filed a formal complaint with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), arguing that the initiative disproportionately favors tech giants like Google at the expense of smaller, independent web publishers.

Third-Party Cookies: A Double-Edged Sword?

Third-party cookies, data packets that enable companies to track users across multiple sites, are at the heart of this debate. While these cookies raise valid privacy concerns, especially when data is combined to create user profiles, MOW insists that removing them undermines competition. Smaller publishers, lacking the vast first-party data reservoirs of Google, Apple, and Meta, fear a bleak future without third-party insights.

A History of Blockades

The battle against third-party cookies is not new. Firefox and Brave spearheaded the movement by blocking these cookies in 2019. Safari and Vivaldi soon followed suit. Google Chrome has implemented partial blocks by default in Incognito mode, with Microsoft Edge applying selective restrictions.

MOW’s Concerns: Is the W3C Really Neutral?

MOW co-founder Timothy Cowen accuses the W3C of siding with Google, a worrying prospect in what should be an unbiased and open standard-setting body. Cowen highlights MOW’s plea to the CMA, suggesting that W3C’s cookie eradication efforts breach antitrust obligations and stifle competition in web advertising.

The Bigger Picture: Google’s Influence at W3C

MOW’s complaint casts suspicion over Google’s influence within the W3C, noting that among its decision-makers, some hail from Google. The W3C’s push against third-party cookies, Cowen argues, may inadvertently benefit one player at the industry’s expense.

Seeking Fair Competition in the Digital Realm

As the web navigates the choppy waters of privacy and competition, MOW is unequivocal in its demand for equitable standards that do not disadvantage smaller players. With discussions evolving under the UK’s Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act, eyes are on the CMA for potential interventions.

Awaiting Future Developments

In an intriguing twist, Cowen also anticipates a judicial ruling on Google’s search monopoly, highlighting an ongoing struggle for fair digital practices. The outcome could redefine competitive dynamics, potentially reshaping how web standards like those from the W3C affect the industry landscape.