The developers behind Opera, Vivaldi, Chrome, Wavebox, and Waterfox have joined forces under the Browser Choice Alliance. Their shared mission is to safeguard users’ freedom to choose and use their preferred browser on Windows without restrictions or adverse consequences. The alliance claims that Microsoft unfairly limits this freedom in various ways.
According to their statement, “The Browser Choice Alliance is calling for urgent intervention from regulators around the world to address this issue and protect consumers’ right to choose. In particular, the group calls on the European Commission to include Microsoft Edge as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).”
Allegations Against Microsoft
The alliance accuses Microsoft of leveraging its dominance as the developer of Windows, which holds a market share exceeding 70%, to engage in anti-competitive practices. These include:
- Making it harder to download third-party browsers.
- Setting Edge as the default browser after updates.
- Forcing links from Microsoft services (like Teams and Outlook) to open in Edge or Bing.
- Persistently recommending Edge to users.
Such practices, the group argues, undermine consumer choice and fair competition in the browser market.
A Broader Perspective
While the accusations against Microsoft may seem valid, Google’s involvement in the alliance has raised some eyebrows. With Chrome dominating the browser market, critics note the irony of Google advocating for fair competition, adds NIX Solutions. Moreover, U.S. authorities have reportedly been pressuring Google to sell Chrome for years due to its monopolistic position.
We’ll keep you updated as regulators address these claims and as the Browser Choice Alliance pushes for changes.