Microsoft Accused of 'Unfair Security Behavior'
Security firm Kaspersky Lab has filed a formal complaint accusing Microsoft of acting unfairly over the way it promotes its own security products.
Kaspersky previously complained to the Federal Anti-Monopoly Service in its home country of Russia. That led to several changes to Microsoft's policy, including rewording a message that suggested users uninstall thirdparty security software and use the built-in Windows Defender instead.
Now Kaspersky has taken the issue to the European Commission, which oversees competition issues across 28 countries. That's potentially a very big deal as Microsoft has previously been in trouble with the commission over the inclusion of its own Internet Explorer browser and Windows Media Player as the default tools in Windows.
Third-Party Tools Quietly Disabled
Kaspersky says Microsoft is unfairly using its position "to fiercely promote its own - inferior - security software (Windows Defender) at the expense of users' previously self-chosen security solution." The company makes several claims on unfair actions, including:
Microsoft's own security software is built in-to Windows 10 and is difficult or impossible to switch off or remove.
Windows displays a message saying "You should only run programs that come from publishers you trust" when users try to run thirdparty security tools.
Microsoft makes it too hard for security companies to warn users when the license on their software has expired and they are no longer protected.
Microsoft doesn't do enough to make it clear that sometimes thirdparty security tools are turned off during upgrades to Windows 10.
Microsoft doesn't give security firms enough time to deal with Windows updates that could prevent their software working properly.
Microsoft states that "Microsoft's primary objective is to keep customers protected. We are confident that the security features of Windows 10 comply with competition laws. And we will answer any questions regulators may have." It also says it has offered to meet