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If you are one of the more than one billion Google Chrome users on Windows, then you should be aware of the serious new warning issued this week. The surprise is that this warning (on behalf of Chrome) comes from one of its harshest and most vocal critics.
Google Chrome dominates the global browser market, with about 65% of the market, followed by less than 20% of Apple Safari in second place. Any other alternative, including Microsoft Edge, is simply an option that also runs.
Microsoft is not used to any kind of “excluded” status, and in a world where its Windows operating system has even greater value dominant desktop computer market share, a new report suggests it is doing something about it. If you use Chrome on a Windows device, the report warns that your user experience will be severely affected.
The research was sponsored by Mozilla, developer of the Firefox browser, slightly behind Edge, with a market share of 3.3% compared to 5.3%. Mozilla official “two independent experts… to investigate Microsoft’s design practices in its core operating system (Windows 10 and 11), web browser (Edge), and search engine (Bing).”
“We find,” Those experts say, “Microsoft repeatedly uses harmful designs to influence users to use Edge.” The claims include “harmful pre-selection, visual interference, misleading wording and disguised ad patterns to bias user choice about which browser to install… Obstruction to discourage switching (to a different default browser) and refusal to change the corresponding default application for several local applications. web-related file types… (and continuing) “harmful patterns to push user to Edge.”
Mozilla is not a fan of Chrome, to say the least. “Chrome is the only major browser that doesn’t offer meaningful protection against cross-site tracking,” he said of Chrome’s long-delayed removal of tracking cookies. And its website warns that “Chrome’s privacy record is questionable… Google actually collects a disturbingly large amount of data from its users: Google runs the world’s largest ad network, thanks in large part to the data it collects from its users.
But the report Mozilla just published isn’t really about Edge competing for users with Firefox. It’s about Chrome. Because in reality, most Windows users will install Chrome. And that is why it serves as a warning for those users.
With a new Windows desktop, users find Edge pre-installed and set as the default. It is also pinned to the taskbar and cannot be uninstalled. If the user decides to install Chrome, the report shows how Microsoft discontinues the installation, citing the security and privacy benefits of Edge. The researchers warn that “users may be alarmed when they see the Edge promotional message appear on the Chrome download page, reasoning that since the banner is unusual, it must be very important.”
Perimeter promotion occupies a prominent place
Mozilla
These interruptions occur regardless of the browser being installed. But “if the user searches to download Google Chrome,” the report says, “Microsoft takes an even more aggressive approach, intervening twice as much in the user journey.”
Edge popup during Chrome installation
Mozilla
Edge promotion after searching to download Chrome
Mozilla
Border ad injected on Chrome installation page
Mozilla
There are other obstructive examples cited in the report, including a survey during the installation of Chrome, which again points out the benefits of Edge. “We consider this survey and its following page to be an example of obstruction,” the report says, “making it difficult for users to complete the installation of Chrome.”
In parallel, as seen below, importing data from Google to Edge appears to present itself as a standard settings dialog. User preferences are not highlighted. It is very easy for a user to click the Apply button with the default settings as shown.
Users asked to import data from Google to Edge
Mozilla
This behavior, researchers say, starts as soon as a user starts searching for browsers. The report includes multiple examples of ads injected into the search and installation process, all of which appear to alter the user’s choice based on “internal” knowledge of what they intend to install.
The report is not limited to browsers, it also analyzes search and cites examples where users are encouraged to switch from Google search to Microsoft Bing within an alternative browser, such as Chrome, assuming the installation does not has been prevented.
Bing Vs Chrome Search Settings Message
Mozilla
The report acknowledges that “Edge is a relatively minor player. With Windows still the dominant operating system, it’s clear that millions of Windows users have overcome the practices we’ve questioned to successfully download and use Chrome. Therefore, Microsoft can argue that these practices do not unfairly distort the browser market or user choice.” Google Chrome vs. Microsoft Edge doesn’t really represent a true David vs. Goliath in any way. But the world has changed, and the other small browsers taking on the bigger players, including Firefox, have changed too.
The researchers are based in the UK and tested different user journeys on Windows 10 Home and Windows 11 Pro. There was no VPN in use, so your location would have been readily available. As such, it is not possible to determine from the report how widespread this is in other territories.
But such claims about Microsoft’s push toward Edge aren’t limited to Mozilla’s report, and we’ve seen other recent complaints about Microsoft’s push toward Edge.
Despite this new research, these types of claims are not new and we have seen similar cases. indications before, with Microsoft pushing users towards its ecosystem and Google doing the same, warning Edge users to switch to Chrome.
However, the backdrop to this current story is Europe’s DMA and regulations that seek to prevent so-called gatekeepers and gateway platforms from doing exactly these kinds of things. The idea is that default apps can be changed, small players can compete, and internal apps can be uninstalled if necessary.
In its blog about the report, Mozilla says that “with the implementation of DMA in the European Union ushering in a wave of global competition regulation, we expected that barriers to browser competition would be dismantled. However, even where there is progress in the right direction, improvements have been incomplete and are offered grudgingly only in markets where regulators have forced platform owners to make changes to respect browser choice.”
Mozilla goes on to complain that “Microsoft recently committed to stopping some of the actions necessary to force Edge on users who have selected other browsers… (but) they will only be implemented for EEA users.” Windows users everywhere… continue to see their options inhibited, nullified, and undermined by Microsoft’s use of harmful designs. Regulatory action is needed around the world to restore browser choice and competition across all major platforms.”
I contacted Microsoft for a response to Mozilla’s report.