Subj : Mozilla blows the whistle on Microsoft: 'Over the Edge' report ac To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Tue Feb 06 2024 14:45:05 Mozilla blows the whistle on Microsoft: 'Over the Edge' report accuses Windows 11-maker of browser bias and deceptive tactics Date: Tue, 06 Feb 2024 14:28:58 +0000 Description: Mozilla accuses Microsoft of employing deceptive tactics, including misleading ads and confusing interfaces, to promote Edge. Microsoft yet to respond. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Some rather serious accusations are being thrown in Microsoft s direction by Mozilla - including that the company is pushing its proprietary browser, Edge , on Windows users by using deceptive tactics. These allegedly include using misleading ads, notifications that are worded like system warnings, and confusing interfaces. In case you dont know, Mozilla is a non-profit open-source organization behind the Firefox web browser - which is a competitor to Microsofts Edge. Mozilla has addressed Microsoft directly, calling for it to stop its current practices, and has called for wider industry regulations to make things fairer for competing browsers. (Image credit: Future) It recently released a report titled Over the Edge: The Use of Design Tactics to Undermine Browser Choice. It opens by stating that users should have the right to choose their browser and use it without their operating system butting in. It goes on to accuse Microsoft of using deceptive design elements, calling them dark patterns that try to not-so-subtly corral users into using Microsofts own Edge browser, which is installed by default in Windows 10 and Windows 11 (similarly to how Internet Explorer was in the past). Mozilla explains that this makes it hard for competitors to even get visibility, let alone be installed and used by Windows 11 users, hence putting Edge rivals like Chrome and Firefox at a disadvantage. Mozilla goes into detail about some of the tactics it alleges Microsoft is using. They include actions like injecting Edge ads when users went to Chromes download page or when users were using Bing search in other browsers, designing a deliberately confusing Windows 11 interface, and instances of misleading language in notifications that look like system warnings. You can check out Mozillas complaints in their entirety in its report . (Image credit: Future) The dust has been kicked up - what comes next? The organization suggests that Microsoft is narrowing user choice and prevents fair market competition for browsers. Mozilla doesnt mince words and urges Microsoft to reconsider its harmful designs. It also calls for regulators to get involved and facilitate fairer competition. So, the balls in Microsofts court, and the company has yet to respond to Mozillas report. This isnt the first accusation of this kind leveled at Microsoft (among other tech companies). Some of Mozillas grievances might be addressed in the upcoming Digital Market Act (DMA) in Europe, which comes into effect in March 2024, so well see. Well be watching to see if Microsoft responds, as many users will agree with Mozilla, and competition is often helpful for consumers to have more options and better outcomes. We've also contacted Microsoft for a response to this report. Its best not to rush to conclusions, but Microsoft does have a prolific history of poor market competition practices (that many people probably dont remember, luckily for Microsoft). Microsoft is no stranger to being in hot water with regulators, including when it comes to browsers - it faced multiple legal challenges in the US regarding its controversial market and distribution practices, particularly with programs like Internet Explorer , in the 1990s. Lets hope its not reverting back to old habits. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE... Microsoft goes atomic World's most valuable company just hired a director of nuclear development acceleration to help power its very own AI revolution Microsofts Edge browser is now more popular than ever but why? Microsoft Edge is better than Google Chrome, but I can't bring myself to switch ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/browsers/mozilla-blows-the-whistle-on-micr osoft-over-the-edge-report-accuses-windows-11-maker-of-browser-bias-and-decept ive-tactics --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .