The Browser Wars Intensify: Browser Choice Alliance Challenges Microsoft Edge
The battle for dominance in the web browser market has taken a dramatic turn. A coalition of browser makers — Google Chrome, Opera, Vivaldi, Waterfox, and Wavebox — has formed the Browser Choice Alliance to challenge Microsoft Edge. Their primary goal? To push the European Commission to designate Microsoft Edge as a "gatekeeper" under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), a move that could limit Microsoft's alleged anti-competitive practices.
The Browser Choice Alliance accuses Microsoft of exploiting its dominant Windows operating system, which has over 73% market share globally, to promote Edge unfairly. According to the coalition, Microsoft employs deceptive tactics — referred to as "dark patterns" — to dissuade users from switching to other browsers. These include:
- Search Manipulation: Bing search engine banners discourage users from downloading rival browsers by promoting Edge’s features.
- Default Browser Restrictions: Microsoft makes changing the default browser in Windows 11 complicated, requiring users to adjust individual settings for multiple file types and protocols.
- Forced Integr...