ContinueEuropean UnionLater, browser company Opera won the bid of the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).Submit a complaint, accusing Microsoft of suppressing other competitors' opportunities to enter the market by pre-loading the Microsoft Edge browser on the Windows operating system and using unfair design practices.
Opera stated that Microsoft has long collaborated with OEM hardware manufacturers to ensure that Microsoft Edge is the default and only pre-installed browser on Windows devices, making it virtually impossible for other browser companies, including Opera, to compete on equal terms. Furthermore, the use of dark patterns in Windows discourages users from installing or switching to other browsers, further limiting fair competition in the browser market.
Aaron McParlan, Opera's general counsel, said that Microsoft has set up obstacles for other browsers at every stage, blocking the opportunity for competitors including Opera to pre-load browsers from the very beginning, and even subsequently setting restrictions in the system operating interface, making it difficult for users to easily switch browser choices, seriously damaging market diversity.
This isn't Opera's first complaint against Microsoft. Back in 2007, Opera filed a lawsuit in the European Union over Microsoft's Internet Explorer pre-loaded browser, which became a key factor in Microsoft's move to open its "browser choice window" that year. With Microsoft's recent focus on promoting the Microsoft Edge browser and integrating various Windows features, Opera has also been able to file a market monopoly lawsuit.
Last year, Opera also attempted to have the EU include Microsoft Edge as a "gatekeeper" under the Digital Markets Directive (DMA), but ultimately failed. The decision to file the lawsuit in Brazil not only demonstrates Opera's determination to expand its global market competition, but also reflects the importance of the Latin American market in terms of digital competition regulations.
If the Brazilian Executive Council for Economic Defense formally files a case and launches an investigation, it may have an impact on Microsoft's future business deployment in emerging markets.
