EU Antitrust Regulators Target Microsoft’s Edge Browser for Unfair Advantage
In a move that could have significant implications for the tech industry, three rival browsers and a group of web developers have written to the European Commission, urging them to take action against Microsoft’s Edge browser for giving it an unfair advantage.
Vivaldi, Waterfox, Wavebox, and the Open Web Advocacy group argue that Edge’s default status on all Windows computers and its prominence on the operating system’s choice screens gives it an unparalleled distribution advantage, making it difficult for other browsers to compete. They claim that this is a breach of the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to promote fair competition in the tech industry.
The group has supported Opera’s challenge to the European Commission’s decision to exempt Edge from the DMA, arguing that it is essential for the Commission to reconsider its position. In a letter dated September 17, they emphasized that “unfair practices are currently allowed to persist on the Windows’ ecosystem with respect to Edge, unmitigated by the choice screens that exist on mobile.”
They also criticized Edge’s pop-up messages, which they claim mischaracterize the features of rival browsers, making it harder for users to choose alternatives. The group argued that this is a key barrier to entry for other browsers, as they cannot compete with Edge’s distribution advantage.
Microsoft and the European Commission have declined to comment on the matter. According to StatCounter, Edge’s global market share is around 5%, while Google’s Chrome dominates the market with a share of 66%.
The battle for browser dominance is intensifying, with Opera already taking the European Commission to court over the exemption of Edge from the DMA. This latest development highlights the importance of promoting fair competition in the tech industry and ensuring that consumers have access to a wide range of choices.
