Microsoft has used a variety of tricks to persuade people to use Bang and Microsoft Edge defaults in Windows for many years, including editing chrome download sites and the use of malware -like popups. Now, Opera is fed up with Microsoft’s “manipulation design plans” and lodged a competitive complaint in Brazil today, alleging that Microsoft is using anti -competitive methods to attract people to use Edge.
“Microsoft thwarts the browser competition on Windows at every turn,” says Aaron McCarlin, general councilor of Opera. “First, a browser like Opera has already been shut down with important opportunities to install. And then Microsoft disappoints users’ ability to download and use alternative browsers.”
Opera’s complaint alleges that Microsoft ignores the user’s default browser selection in different ways, from opening PDF files or links to outlook and teams, from opening of Windows features such as search or widows. The Opera also notes that Microsoft “uses unprecedented banners and messages that discourage users from downloading alternative browsers while they are looking for these browsers on the edge.”
Opera filed its complaint in Brazil as it is one of the company’s main markets. “Opera is already a great success in Brazil: it is Brazil’s third popular browser and has millions of loyal users who actively choose it, despite Microsoft’s tactics,” says Mac Parlin. “Complaints regarding globally practices by Microsoft give Brazil an opportunity to become a leader on this international issue.”
If the opera is successful with his complaint, he wants Microsoft treatment, such as allowing PC manufacturers to pre -load alternate default browsers, prevent users from downloading other browsers, and “the dark patterns that push users to the edge.” Opera has also revealed that Microsoft requires OEMS to “supply S -mode devices as a state of waiver on the Windows OS license,” which is another process he wants to see illegal.
Although this complaint will be handled by the Brazilian Competition Authority, it is part of the opera’s extensive effort to challenge Microsoft’s edge methods around the world. Opera failed last year’s decision not to nominate Microsoft Age as a gate keeper under the rules of its Digital Markets Act (DMA). Microsoft survived the post, but he still had to make changes to Windows in EU markets in response to the DMA. Due to these changes, it has stopped bogging about Windows users about Edge.
“We believe that Microsoft’s behavior, including the changes he has announced in Europe, are insufficient to get effective compliance with the DMA,” says Mac Parlin. “In this context, and as part of the global efforts to ensure consumer independent selection, the opera has appealed to the EU courts to nominate Edge as a ‘gatekeeper’ services under the DMA.”
In the past, Microsoft has not only used Windows to request people to switch in the past, the company also developed a Google UI to try and persuade Bing Customers to use Google earlier this year. The search results looked like a lot like Google, which was completely smaller text below the customs search bar, a picture like Google Doodle, and a Google search bar. Once people started watching it, Microsoft quickly killed the plug on their Google UI.
Opera also has a history of complaints against Microsoft’s browser behavior in Windows. It actually lodged an anti -trust complaint with the European Union in 2007, resulting in the end of the browser belt screen – which could select one of the 12 famous browsers instead of defaulting to Windows users Internet Explorer. Microsoft had to keep the browser choice screen in Windows for five years, but failed to add a belt to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 was fined $ 730 million in 2013.
