Google on Feb. 16 announced the start of a multi-year process to limit the ability for advertisers to track users of Android devices and said it is exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection. “Today, we’re announcing a multi-year initiative to build the Privacy Sandbox on Android, with the goal of introducing new, more private advertising solutions,” Anthony Chavez, vice president of product management for Android Security & Privacy, said in a blog post. These solutions, Google says, will “limit sharing of user data with third parties and operate without cross-app identifiers, including advertising ID. We’re also exploring technologies that reduce the potential for covert data collection, including safer ways for apps to integrate with advertising SDKs [software development kits].” “The Privacy Sandbox on Android builds on our existing efforts on the web, providing a clear path forward to improve user privacy without putting access to free content and services at risk,” Chavez said. …