Mozilla Accuses Microsoft of Deceptive Design to Force Edge Usage

Mozilla has released a follow-up report to its 'Over The Edge 2.0' study, accusing Microsoft of employing deceptive design patterns to steer Windows users toward the Edge browser. The report claims that Microsoft uses aggressive tactics, such as tricky wording in setup prompts and forcing links to open in Edge via Windows Search, Widgets, and Copilot, to undermine user choice. Mozilla argues that while Microsoft complies with fairer browser choice requirements in the European Economic Area due to the Digital Markets Act, it continues to prioritize its own ecosystem over user preference in other global regions. Mozilla suggests these practices are increasingly tied to AI distribution, as browsers serve as a primary gateway for AI tools. The organization contends that Microsoft only respects user choice when legally compelled, urging the company to adopt the same transparent design standards globally that it currently implements in the EU.