Cloudflare teams up with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on a privacy-first anti-bot protocol
Cloudflare teams up with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge on a privacy-first anti-bot protocol
https://thenextweb.com/news/cloudflare-pact-browser-privacy-bot-traffic-protocol
Publish Date: 2026-06-22 17:24:32
Source Domain: thenextweb.com
Summary
Several major tech companies, including Cloudflare, Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, and Shopify, have initiated a joint project called Private Access Control Tokens (PACT). This privacy-first protocol aims to ascertain the legitimacy of web traffic without compromising user privacy. PACT replaces CAPTCHAs and forced logins with anonymous tokens proving the visitor’s authenticity, minimizing repeated identity checks. The technology is essential in a world where automated systems now account for nearly 60% of HTTP requests. Unlike traditional measures, PACT does not track users or reconstruct their browsing history. The collaboration aims to address the challenge posed by a rise in bot traffic due to agentic AI programs without imposing unnecessary friction for legitimate visitors or automated bots with a valid reason to access websites.
Key Points:
- PACT, a privacy-first protocol, aims to verify web traffic legitimacy without tracking users.
- The joint initiative involves leaders like Cloudflare, Mozilla, Google, Microsoft, and Shopify.
- The shift is driven by a substantial increase in bot traffic, now accounting for roughly 58% of HTTP requests worldwide.
- PACT works by using anonymous tokens for proving a visitor’s authenticity without tracking their browsing history.
- The initiative is meant to separate legitimate automated bots from malicious entities while maintaining user privacy.
