Microsoft hit with formal warning on browser choice from EU

25 October 2012 11:28 am - 1 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The European Commission has given Microsoft a formal warning for failing to obey an order to give customers a choice of internet browsers.

The tech giant was told three years ago it must offer users something other than its own Internet Explorer browser to access the internet.

Microsoft promised to promote choice, but in July the Commission warned it it had not done enough.

The penalty for breaching competition law is a fine of up to 10% of revenue.

Three months ago, Microsoft, which had promised to offer a "choice screen" from which users could pick the browser they preferred, was upbraided by the EU's competition commissioner, who said many users had not been able to view a choice of screen between February 2009 and July 2012.

He said this meant as many as 28 million consumers might not have had the browser choice.
'Technical error'

Microsoft apologised and said a technical hitch had prevented it from offering full choice to all its customers.

It said in a statement: "We take this matter very seriously and moved quickly to address this problem as soon as we became aware of it.

"Although this was the result of a technical error, we take responsibility for what happened."

Microsoft has four weeks to respond to the charges, after which the Commission will decide whether a fine is appropriate.

Separately, EU regulators said they did not have any reason to open an investigation into Microsoft's operating system for its tablets.

The Commission said in July it had received complaints that the company allowed only its own Internet Explorer browser to be installed on devices running Windows 8 on Windows RT tablets.

To date, the European Union has fined Microsoft 1.64 billion euros (£1.29bn) for various breaches of its laws.

(Source : BBC)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 1

kirala Tuesday, 30 October 2012 08:18 AM

This "browser choice" is the most ridiculous thing I've seen so far in the IT industry. Most PC users don't know or care which browser they use. This screen only confuses people, and the reality is that, they HAVE to use IE initially to download their choice of browser.

Silly. Really.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Microsoft hit with formal warning on browser choice from EU

Comments - 1

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Former MP Palitha Thewarapperuma dies from electrocution

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings