Google And Opera Behind EU Antitrust Fine

By | March 7, 2013 | 6 Comments

Google And Opera Behind EU Antitrust FineIt looks like the browser ballot saga has yet to end as according to the latest report by Financial Times, Opera and Google are the companies that “informally provided the tip-off”, leading to the €561 million fine.

Following yesterday’s EU statement, Opera said that it was “happy to see that the Commission is enforcing compliance with the commitment, which is critical to ensuring a genuine choice among web browsers for consumers.” While Google refused to comment on the rulling.

On a side note, the software giant decided not to appeal the fine and provided the following statement:

We take full responsibility for the technical error that caused this problem and have apologized for it. We provided the Commission with a complete and candid assessment of the situation, and we have taken steps to strengthen our software development and other processes to help avoid this mistake – or anything similar – in the future.

[Via: TheVerge, Engadget]


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Vygantas is a former web designer whose projects are used by companies such as AMD, NVIDIA and departed Westood Studios. Being passionate about software, Vygantas began his journalism carrier back in 2007 when he founded FavBrowser.com. Having said that, he is also an adrenaline junkie who enjoys good books, fitness activities and Forex trading.

  • http://my.opera.com/rafaelluik Rafael

    The browser choice screen has been broken in many ways for a long time…
    The law defined what Microsoft needed to do, since it’s refusing to follow the ruling properly, it’s fair for them to receive a penalty. Simple.

  • MacVities

    So if a website says it, then it must be true, and worthy of reporting.

    There is nothing to suggest Opera and Google were behind it. Knowing Microsoft’s usual viral tricks, it’s far more likely they released that rumor…

    • http://www.favbrowser.com FavBrowser.com

      Except that they are the ones (with Opera being main catalyst) who complained about it in the first place.

      • manifeast

        Actually, Mozilla, Google and Opera were behind the original complaint. Doesn’t mean that they were involved NOW.

  • Mehran

    ratting is revolting, but when it’s about IE, it’s tolerable!

  • Guesty Guest

    As far as I can see, the only companies that would benefit from the browser choice screen are Mozilla and Opera. Everybody else has a way to promote the use of their browser.

    Internet Explorer comes as standard with every new Windows Desktop and Laptop.

    Google has the money and power to advertise Chrome all over the internet and on the television.

    Apple no longer makes Safari for Windows so doesn’t care. When you buy a Mac, Safari has the same power as Internet Explorer i.e. it’s pre-installed and ready to go.

    Of the 5 major browsers it’s Firefox and Opera that are losing out by the ballot screen not working.

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