Opera Files Complaint Against Microsoft’s Tricks To Make You Use Edge

Microsoft has utilized a variety of tricks to person group to support utilizing nan defaults of Bing and Microsoft Edge successful Windows complete nan years, including modifying Chrome download sites and using malware-like popups. Now, Opera is fed up of what it calls Microsoft’s “manipulative creation tactics” and is filing a title competition successful Brazil today, alleging that Microsoft is utilizing anti-competitive practices to steer group toward utilizing Edge.

“Microsoft thwarts browser title connected Windows astatine each turn,” says Aaron McParlan, wide counsel astatine Opera. “First, browsers for illustration Opera are locked retired of important preinstallation opportunities. And past Microsoft frustrates users’ expertise to download and usage replacement browsers.“

Opera’s title alleges that Microsoft ignores a users’ default browser prime successful a assortment of ways, from opening PDF files aliases links successful Outlook and Teams, to opening links done Windows features for illustration Search aliases Widgets. Opera besides notes that Microsoft uses “obtrusive banners and messages discouraging users from
downloading replacement browsers astatine nan very infinitesimal they are searching for those browsers connected Edge.“

Opera has revenge its title successful Brazil because it’s 1 of nan company’s main markets. “Opera is already a awesome occurrence successful Brazil: it is nan 3rd astir celebrated browser successful Brazil and has millions of loyal users successful Brazil who actively take it, contempt Microsoft’s tactics,” says McParlan, successful a connection to The Verge. “The complaint, which concerns practices implemented globally by Microsoft, presents an opportunity for Brazil to beryllium a leader connected this world issue”

If Opera is successful pinch its complaint, it wants remedies from Microsoft for illustration allowing PC manufacturers to preload replacement default browsers, a halt to blocking consumers from downloading different browsers, and an extremity to “dark patterns that push users towards Edge.” Opera besides reveals that Microsoft requires OEMs to “deliver S mode devices arsenic a information for rebates connected a Windows OS license,” which is different believe it wants to spot outlawed.

While nan title will beryllium handled by Brazil’s title authority, it’s portion of a broader effort from Opera to situation Microsoft’s Edge practices astir nan world. Opera unsuccessfully challenged nan EU’s determination not to designate Microsoft Edge arsenic a gatekeeper nether its Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules past year. Microsoft escaped this designation, but it has still had to make changes to Windows successful EU markets successful consequence to nan DMA. These changes person led to it stop bugging Windows users astir Edge.

“We judge that Microsoft’s conduct, including nan changes that it has announced successful Europe, are insufficient to attain effective compliance pinch nan DMA,” says McParlan. “In this context, and arsenic portion of its world efforts to guarantee free and effective user choice, Opera has appealed earlier nan EU Courts nan European Commission’s determination not to designate Edge arsenic a ‘gatekeeper’ work nether nan DMA.”

Not only has Microsoft utilized Windows to impulse group into switching to Edge successful nan past, nan institution besides created a spoofed Google UI to effort and person Bing users they were utilizing Google earlier this year. The hunt results looked a batch for illustration Google, complete pinch a civilization hunt bar, Google Doodle-like image, and immoderate mini matter nether nan hunt barroom conscionable for illustration Google search. Microsoft quickly killed nan plug connected its spoofed Google UI erstwhile group started noticing it.

Opera besides has a history of complaints against Microsoft’s browser behaviour successful Windows. It primitively revenge an antitrust title pinch nan EU in 2007, which eventually led to nan browser ballot surface being created — allowing Windows users to prime 1 of nan 12 astir celebrated browsers alternatively than defaulting to Internet Explorer. Microsoft had to support nan browser prime surface successful Windows for 5 years, but was fined $730 cardinal successful 2013 for failing to see nan ballot successful Windows 7 Service Pack 1.