If the browser market share figures between EU and non-EU now start to diverge, it would really strengthen the case to sue microsoft in the USA...
Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
31–40 of 366 posts
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#32Technically it's in the European Economic Area (EEA) but the title was too long.
That's strange, I wonder why not EU but rather EEA. Probably the smallest target amount compared to EU and aimed at resolving some conflict with a regulation that only affects EEA rather than EU?
>I wonder why not EU but rather EEA
No big mystery: because EEA countries agreed to the ruling to make that a requirement and not just EU countries?
There is tons of stuff applicable at the EEA level, it's quite common. After all the purpose of EEA is to have common regulatory framework.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#33Earlier quoted context omitted.
The announcement is talking about EEA rather than EU though, which smells a bit weird. I'm not sure what regulation they're trying to resolve the conflict with that is not EU wide but rather EEA and targets the usage of default browsers.
The EEA is practically “EU + a handful of countries that apply EU rules but don’t get to participate in decision making for historical reasons”. That’s why Britain didn’t even consider joining the EEA after they left the Union. From their point of view, it would still be the regulatory burden of EU membership without most of the benefits they enjoyed as a full member. When they’d decided to take the economic impact o…
Yes, getting Microsoft's disrespect was worth it.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#34Neat! But why not respect the users choice everywhere on earth?
Because other places have thriving tech industry which can’t waste time checking what browser to run
Not supporting major browsers doesnt feel like "thriving tech industry"
Sounds like cheap ass startups or poorly executing corpos
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#35Earlier quoted context omitted.
The announcement is talking about EEA rather than EU though, which smells a bit weird. I'm not sure what regulation they're trying to resolve the conflict with that is not EU wide but rather EEA and targets the usage of default browsers.
The EEA is practically “EU + a handful of countries that apply EU rules but don’t get to participate in decision making for historical reasons”. That’s why Britain didn’t even consider joining the EEA after they left the Union. From their point of view, it would still be the regulatory burden of EU membership without most of the benefits they enjoyed as a full member. When they’d decided to take the economic impact o…
No, they get the benefit of tariff-free and non-tariff-barrier-free trade in goods and services with EU members. That's a huge deal.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#36I'm loving M$ having to admit they're intentionally abusing their users by disrespecting their preferences even when it would cost them nothing to do so.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#37Earlier quoted context omitted.
The announcement is talking about EEA rather than EU though, which smells a bit weird. I'm not sure what regulation they're trying to resolve the conflict with that is not EU wide but rather EEA and targets the usage of default browsers.
The EEA is practically “EU + a handful of countries that apply EU rules but don’t get to participate in decision making for historical reasons”. That’s why Britain didn’t even consider joining the EEA after they left the Union. From their point of view, it would still be the regulatory burden of EU membership without most of the benefits they enjoyed as a full member. When they’d decided to take the economic impact o…
It’s strictly the regulatory burden of EU membership without any of the benefits of the club.
That's not really true if you are living in one of those countries (I live in one of those countries). In general, we get the protections that the EU gives its people and I get free travel within the zone. Lots of little things like my phone working without outrageous charges when I travel to most places here, too.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#38Earlier quoted context omitted.
Probably a combination of different inputs, like timezone, regional, GPS (if computer supports that) and figuring out public IP. Knowing Microsoft, they'll try their hardest to avoid flagging a computer as within EEA if they possibly could.
hopefully the "inside EEA" flag will be stored somewhere in registry
Or better yet, a registry flag to enable browser choice.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#39Technically it's in the European Economic Area (EEA) but the title was too long.
That's strange, I wonder why not EU but rather EEA. Probably the smallest target amount compared to EU and aimed at resolving some conflict with a regulation that only affects EEA rather than EU?
EEA = EU + EFTA. The EEA forms the “European single market”. The EFTA states adopt most of the relevant legislation from the EU. So it’s normal that product policies apply to the whole of the EEA instead of just to the EU.
Re: Windows 11 system components use the default browser to open links in Europe
#40I wonder how much money Microsoft is making by not respecting user choices in non European countries. I also wonder how much money they invested in the legal handlings of this topic and how many developer/sales hours are and were wasted to make this "split" possible.
Microsoft is clearly playing on Ultra Violence level here in an attempt to force as much Edge market share as technically possible. I guess someone pretty high up has their bonuses tied to those numbers.