Opera is filing an antitrust complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, claiming that it creates unfair conditions for alternative browsers to compete with Edge. The Norwegian company claims that Microsoft’s decision to make Edge the exclusive pre-installed browser on Windows computers creates unfair conditions for alternative browsers to compete. Opera also argues that Microsoft is using design tactics and dark templates to further discourage people from downloading and using competing products. It has asked Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) to take action against Microsoft.
“At every step of the way, Microsoft is hindering the competition of browsers on Windows. First, browsers like Opera are deprived of important pre-installation features,” said Aaron McParlan, General Counsel of Opera. “And then Microsoft is depriving users of the ability to download and use alternative browsers.”
This is not the first time the two companies have clashed. Opera sued Microsoft in the EU back in 2007 with a similar argument that the inclusion of Internet Explorer in the package was anti-competitive. Last year, it also argued (albeit unsuccessfully) that Microsoft should have gatekeeper status for the Edge browser under the EU Digital Markets Act.
