Andre Yoskowitz
17 Jul 2012 19:48
The European Commission, EU's executive body, has announced this week that it has begun an investigation into Microsoft's tactics in regards to browser selection.
Back in 2009, Microsoft made antitrust commitments to the EC, including an obligation to add a "browser choice screen" to its Windows operating systems. By having the screen, users could select which browser they wanted right at first boot and not have to use Microsoft's own Internet Explorer.
Microsoft admitted it "fell short" on its commitments due to a tech erro, and the EC says the company may face "severe" fines: "Due to a technical error, we missed delivering the BCS software to PCs that came with the service pack 1 update to Windows 7."
Windows 7 without SP1, Windows XP and Windows Vista PCs did have the screen, however.
EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia says the screen has not been provided since February 2011, leaving 28 million consumers without options.