Browser Choice Alliance

An AI Replay of the Browser Wars, Bankrolled by Google The search giant is trying to put Microsoft through its ’90s nightmare again — though this time the stakes are even higher.

Deja vu all over again ... is Microsoft up to its old dirty tricks? (seems a bit like it, yes..)

www.bloomberg.com/opinion/arti...

When you have to wade through more obstacles than a Spartan Race to set a new default browser, like @firefox.com...

It’s time to take a stand: bit.ly/3IHl9hG

IYKYK: When you’re trying to set a new default browser but incessant pop-ups get in your way…

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been personally victimized by a Microsoft PC changing your settings without consent.

…

*every PC user’s hand goes up*

Happy #WorldWideWebDay to everyone, especially all the @microsoft.com users tired of their browser choice being kicked to the curb.

We’re on the case!

Consumers deserve the freedom to choose their default desktop browser — whichever one it may be — but Microsoft is stripping away that choice through manipulative design and coercive tactics.

Learn more:
bit.ly/3SGimH9

The Secret Battle Behind Your Web Browser! - Thomas Beverley - Pixel Pioneers https://pixelpioneers.co​ --- The Secret Battle Behind Your Web Browser! - Thomas Beverley - Pixel Pioneers --- The browser is arguably the most critical platform today, serving as one of the most important applications to access everything, from essential productivity tools to cutting-edge AI services. It's the engine driving the open web, but what happens when the operating system itself becomes a gatekeeper, actively working against user choice? Thomas Beverley, co-founder of the indie browser Wavebox, has firsthand experience navigating these challenges. He’ll expose the specific techniques used by operating systems like Windows to limit user choice. He’ll explain why this matters – not just for user freedom, but for browser competition, innovation, and ultimately, for developers and designers trying to reach their audience. And why there’s a growing coalition of browser developers speaking out and calling for action. Join Thomas to explore this critical battleground, understand the forces shaping browser access, and consider how we can ensure the path to end users remains open. Pixel Pioneers Editorial Thomas Beverley warns about the return of the browser wars and the importance of browser choice and highlights the efforts of the Browser Choice Alliance, and the importance of web browser options beyond microsoft edge. --- Video kindly sponsored by TetraLogical: https://tetralogical.com/ --- Thomas Beverley Thomas is the technical co-founder of the Wavebox browser, bringing over 15 years of web technology experience. He's been directly involved in browser development since 2016. A firm believer in the open web, Thomas advocates for strong standards and browser diversity, ensuring developers can build freely and users have a choice. This has involved supporting the campaign of the Browser Choice Alliance, which is calling out Microsoft’s tactics to limit user choice. --- Pixel Pioneers – 20 June 2025 Pixel Pioneers is an affordable community conference for front-end developers and UX/UI designers with a focus on actionable takeaways. Save the date: Pixel Pioneers is back on 19 June 2026: https://pixelpioneers.co https://www.linkedin.com/company/pixel-pioneers/ https://bsky.app/profile/pixelpioneers.co https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel_Pioneers/ --- YouTube videos filmed, edited & optimised by Digital Medium: https://events.digital-medium.co.uk --- #browser #webbrowser #webbrowsers #chrome #firefox #edgebrowser #operagx #windows #operatingsystem

"If they unfairly push Edge again...are we going to be left in the position where...they say ‘we don’t need to work on web features anymore, the web is good as it is?’”

Watch Wavebox co-founder, Thomas Beverley, discuss browser choice at a recent @pixelpioneers.co event: bit.ly/4olb5ey

Microsoft employs dark patterns such as persistent pop-up notifications, misleading narratives, and bypassing user-set preferences to push users back to Edge against their will.

Learn more about how Microsoft impedes consumer choice: bit.ly/3SGimH9

Update: We're launching a monthly newsletter!

Why? To share how the browser market is evolving, keep tabs on Microsoft’s deceptive behavior, and translate what it means for users, developers, and the digital ecosystem as a whole.

Subscribe to stay in the know: bit.ly/46gImAU

When some Windows PC users attempt to download an alternative default desktop browser, such as @vivaldi.com, Microsoft deploys a banner ad insisting Edge is the better option.

Learn more about Microsoft's dark patterns that impede consumer choice: bit.ly/3SGimH9

Microsoft vs Vivaldi – Browser choice, EU rules and Economic Incentives https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1hkzSxt4jQ (This summary has been automatically generated with AI) At Antitrust Intelligence, we recently sat down with Jon von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, and Bruce…

“It’s unfair that on Windows, Microsoft will steer people to Edge so they can steer people to Bing so that Microsoft can get the advertising dollars. Microsoft should have a level playing field on its Windows OS and not self preference.”

Listen or read more here: bit.ly/3I89jNb

Despite users’ set preferences, #Microsoft takes advantage of some system updates to default back to Edge. Users are then forced to go back and manually change their settings — again — making it difficult to switch away from Edge.

It’s time we put an end to this: bit.ly/3SGimH9

After years of falling victim to Microsoft’s deception, Windows users have had enough—and they’re speaking out.

Join us in exposing Microsoft’s extensive history of deceiving its own users. Source: bit.ly/4kAfXcJ

Despite setting Wavebox as the default browser, this Windows PC continues to open links in Edge.

Use your voice to help put an end to Microsoft’s deceptive tactics that harm its own users. #DemandAction and learn more: bit.ly/44bshvg

What about US? I have written here about Microsoft's shift away from a principles-based approach to product design that was consistent with the spirit of the antitrust decisions in the US, EU and elsewhere. Develop...

"Unless constrained by enforcers, Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system will be leveraged for unfair advantage for its own products and offerings and used to frustrate and discourage PC users from using the applications and services they prefer."

Read the full blog here: bit.ly/4npSmhw

Microsoft is blocking Google Chrome through its family safety feature Chrome doesn’t open or immediately closes.

Has #Microsoft rolled out a new deceptive tactic? @theverge.com reports on a new bug in Microsoft's Family Safety feature that targets the Google Chrome browser and prevents it from functioning on Windows.

Read the full story here: bit.ly/44jhJsA

Last week, Thomas Beverley, co-founder of Wavebox, spoke at @pixelpioneers.co to spotlight how Microsoft uses misleading user interface patterns, hidden settings, and system updates to make it difficult for users to set and keep a non-Edge browser as their default.

2025 Microsoft DMA compliance workshop This workshop provides interested parties with the possibility to ask for clarifications and to give feedback on the compliance solutions published in Microsoft's 2025 compliance report.

Today we attended the @ec.europa.eu's DMA enforcement workshop to hold Microsoft accountable to its obligations.

Microsoft reps couldn’t give us a concrete date for when the changes announced this month will come into effect. Watch the session here: digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/events-poolp...

Tomorrow, Thomas Beverley, co-founder of Wavebox, will speak at the @pixelpioneers.co event to discuss the importance of respecting browser choice, fair competition, and how the entire digital ecosystem suffers because of Microsoft's deceptive behavior.

Read Thomas’ Q&A here: bit.ly/45Ziqtk

Microsoft Could Repeat its Teams Strategy, this time with Bing and Edge This week, the European Commission launches a series of Digital Markets Act (DMA) compliance workshops with the gatekeepers: Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Bytedance (TikTok), and Meta—listed …

"As Big Tech adapts to regulatory scrutiny, exclusionary practices are becoming more nuanced. We’re moving away from traditional abuses...toward dark patterns and interface nudges designed to keep users in your ecosystems."

Read more about Microsoft's deceptive practices here: bit.ly/3FEikgc

Setting a new default browser on Windows shouldn’t be a battle, but #Microsoft makes it one.

Join us in calling out Microsoft’s deliberately deceptive tactics: bit.ly/4m8U7yP

Browser choice directly impacts the overall user experience. When Microsoft impedes users’ ability to choose their default browser, users miss out on important features like a strong support network to easily troubleshoot issues.

Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics:
bit.ly/4k5zba4

The Browser Choice Alliance The Browser Choice Alliance is a coalition of browsers dedicated to the principle that consumers should have the right to use their browser of choice on Windows devices.

Microsoft announced a series of updates to Windows, finally appearing to take note of its obligations under the DMA.

But what about the rest of the world? Non-European users will continue to be locked into Edge, and smaller browser providers will remain locked out of key markets. bit.ly/4m8U7yP

Last week, we were in Colombia and Brazil to mark the launch of the BCA in Latin America. We met with experts, regulators, legal professionals, and media to discuss how we can work together to tackle unfair browser competition and boost awareness worldwide.

Microsoft intentionally designed its operating system to keep users using Edge, even when they’ve selected another desktop browser as their default.

We are putting our foot down and fighting for users’ right to #ChooseYourBrowser. Learn more: bit.ly/44bshvg

For years, users have vocalized their frustrations with
Microsoft’s irritating and incessant tactics, seeking alternative solutions in various desktop browsers.

Learn more about Microsoft’s efforts to impede consumer choice: bit.ly/44bshvg
Source: bit.ly/4k1WnX7

Third-party browsers offer an array of innovations including productivity tools — but Microsoft makes it difficult for users to even explore other desktop browser options.

Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics that impede consumer choice: bit.ly/42M4FLr

#Microsoft coerces Windows users into sticking with Edge by deploying threatening security pop-ups, such as “make sure you trust [the browser] before you open it,” if they attempt to download an alternative browser. Learn more about Microsoft’s deceptive tactics: bit.ly/44bshvg

#9 Gene Burrus - For a Better Web | Vivaldi Browser Gene was a lawyer working for Microsoft, before he became a poacher-turned-gamekeeper who advises the Browser Choice Alliance on combatting Microsoft’s attempts to lock Windows users into its Edge…

In a recent discussion, competition law attorney, Gene Burrus spoke with TCO of @vivaldi.com, @brucel.bsky.social to outline strategies to prevent #Microsoft from continuing its dark and deceptive practices. Check out the full interview here: bit.ly/43dlX4h

Some of the most searched questions relating to Microsoft Edge are about disabling and deleting it. Users are clearly struggling to dodge Microsoft’s relentless attempts to pressure them into sticking with Edge. Read more: bit.ly/431uhVR