Updated Dec 19th - See updated mitigation provided by Google in recent blog update
We will keep this blog and associated notes updated as we have more information
In an ongoing effort to combat the misuse of third-party cookies and align with the guidelines set by the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Google Chrome has initiated the deprecation of third-party cookies. While this move holds advantages for consumer privacy, it also impacts the technology that underpins numerous web integrations commonly employed in enterprise software.
SAP Analytics Cloud relies on third-party cookies for various crucial workflows, which include:
- Live connections
- Live connections to SAP Datasphere should not be affected
- Live connections to SAP HANA Cloud will not be affected
- OData Technical Component (accessing OData sources through scripting)
- Embedding SAP Analytics Cloud (incorporating within another web app)
- Webpage widget (integrating other web apps within SAP Analytics Cloud)
- SAP Analytics Cloud embedded in line of business applications like: SAP S/4Hana Cloud, SAP Successfactors, SAP Ariba and others.
- Custom Widgets
3rd Party Cookie Deprecation of 1% of Browsers: Despite our collaborative efforts with the Chrome team to tackle the issues associated with 3rd party cookies ahead of complete deprecation, Google has unveiled plans for a trial to deactivate third-party cookies for "1% of Chrome Stable users". Consequently, starting in Q1 2024, an expanding segment of Chrome users can anticipate the disabling of third-party cookies, impeding access to workflows reliant on this technology
Users experiencing third-party cookies deactivation will be unable to execute the workflows mentioned above, including the integration of SAP Analytics Cloud into other applications such as S/4Hana Cloud, SuccessFactors, Ariba, and others.
Mitigations
Update Dec 19th -
How to re-enable third party cookies:
In a recent blog from the Google team they provide detailed information on how the 1% trial will be rolled out on January 4th.
The update from Google provides information about how users will be informed if they are included in the 1% trial that restricts third party cookies. It also shows how users will be able to opt out for 90 days and re-enable third party cookies.
Chrome Enterprise: To guarantee uninterrupted service, you can ensure that your user base utilizes Chrome Enterprise, exempt from the 1% of browsers subjected to third-party cookie deactivation in Q1 2024.
“As with the majority of Chrome experiments, most enterprise end users will be excluded from the 1% third-party cookie deprecation automatically. For the few that may be affected, enterprise administrators can set the BlockThirdPartyCookies policy to false to opt out their managed browsers ahead of the experiment and allow time to make necessary changes to not rely on this policy or third-party cookies.”
https://developers.google.com/privacy-sandbox/3pcd#enterprise_support
Microsoft Edge is also fully supported by SAP Analytics Cloud. If you are not already using Edge, it may be prudent to run a few test scenarios to see if it can be available as a backup browser in the case that any of your end users are affected. Although Edge is based on Chromium it doesn’t appear it will start to disable cookies for 1% of their users. If things change, we will update this blog with the latest information.
We are actively engaged in creating solutions that alleviate the need for customer intervention or mitigation. We will be posting more about those solutions in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned to this blog and related SAP notes for further updates on this matter.
Driving awareness to your user base
Following Google's latest update Dec 14th, they have provided a temporary mitigation that should be effective for every use case. However, there remains a chance that your end users might be chosen to participate in the trial. If they are selected and are not aware of the potential problems and associated mitigations, this could cause IT tickets for your team. Therefore, it is advisable to explore optimal methods for raising awareness among your user base and IT support team to ensure the least disruption to business in the new year.
See related SAP Knowledge Base Article (KBA) for related information
https://launchpad.support.sap.com/#/notes/3412305
