Norwegian software company Opera (NASDAQ: OPRA) has lodged a formal complaint with Brazil’s antitrust authority CADE, accusing Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) of unfairly favoring its Edge browser on Windows PCs and undermining consumer choice.
Opera, developer of the Opera and Opera GX browsers, alleged that Microsoft uses its dominance in the operating system and productivity software markets to restrict competition. The complaint claims that Edge is pre-installed and set as the default on Windows devices while rival browsers are excluded from similar opportunities.
“Microsoft thwarts browser competition on Windows at every turn,” said Aaron McParlan, Opera’s General Counsel. “If a person in Brazil wants to use a browser other than Edge on their Windows machine, they should be allowed to freely do so — without being actively obstructed or discouraged.”
According to Opera, Microsoft’s practices include offering incentives to PC manufacturers to pre-install Edge exclusively, displaying on-screen messages that dissuade users from downloading competing browsers, and overriding user choices in key functions such as opening PDFs, emails, and searches. Opera also criticized the use of “dark patterns” — manipulative design tactics that steer users back to Edge.
Opera, which had 6.8% of Brazil’s desktop browser market in June compared with Edge’s 11.5% and Google Chrome’s dominant 75% (StatCounter), said the case reflects a global effort to ensure fair browser competition. The company has also challenged Microsoft’s practices in Europe, including a case before EU courts seeking Edge’s designation as a gatekeeper service under the Digital Markets Act.
Opera has asked CADE to investigate and impose remedies, such as requiring a neutral browser choice screen for Windows users in Brazil and allowing PC manufacturers to pre-install rival browsers as defaults.
“Brazilians are very engaged and enthusiastic users of consumer tech products and they deserve fair access to the browser that best suits their needs,” McParlan said. “Microsoft’s tactics stifle both competition and innovation.”
Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
