Center for Teaching and Learning

Google Chrome changes in 2024 could disrupt tools integrated with Blackboard Learn

 Published

Starting January 2024, Google will roll out changes to its Chrome browser, restricting all third-party cookies by default. In January, a random 1% of all Chrome users will receive this change, called “Tracking Protection.” The change will be rolled out to all users throughout 2024.

https://blog.google/products/chrome/privacy-sandbox-tracking-protection/

Tools integrated with Blackboard Learn (Ultra and Original) using the Learning Tool Interoperability (LTI) 1.3 and LTI Advantage standards may be impacted; all other learning management systems are also affected. The LTI specification, managed by 1EdTech, originally defined an authentication method that required cookies. An updated version of the specification defines a new secure method of authentication using browser messages, so cookies aren’t required.

Blackboard Learn supports both methods, so tools can update at any time to use the newer authentication method. However, many tools have not been updated. We expect Chrome users to have problems with these tools in 2024.

The older LTI 1.0/1.1 standards don’t use cookies for the authentication process and shouldn’t be impacted. They would still be impacted if the tool itself uses cookies after authentication.
  

Workaround:

Users can change their settings in Chrome to accept cookies from impacted tools. The first users who receive this new Tracking Protection feature can opt-out by clicking the settings (gear) icon in a notification. For users who don’t opt-out, an eye icon will appear in the address bar when Chrome blocks an integrated tool because it used a cookie. Users can click that icon to change the setting for that website. We encourage administrators and educators to communicate with impacted users, stakeholders, developers, and vendors about this change.

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