Opera issues government complaint against Microsoft for Edge-y antics

Opera, a Norwegian company and browser, has filed a complaint with the Brazilian Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE) against Microsoft, alleging that the latter is engaging in anti-competitive practices. Opera claims that Microsoft is limiting user choice by making it difficult to switch from the default Edge browser on Windows, as well as pre-installing Edge on the operating system. The article acknowledges that pre-installing a web browser is a common practice in the industry, but argues that Opera has a stronger case when it comes to Microsoft's attempts to keep users on Edge, such as making it almost impossible to remove, ignoring the default browser, and actively promoting Edge over other options. While Opera portrays itself as a champion of digital freedom, the article suggests that this is essentially a fight between two companies, with both needing to compete more effectively against the market leaders, Google's Chrome and Apple's Safari. The article also notes that Microsoft has faced similar government-imposed restrictions on its browsers in the past, including in Europe. Overall, the article provides a balanced summary of the key facts and perspectives surrounding Opera's complaint against Microsoft in Brazil, while acknowledging the complexities and potential biases involved in the case.