The Edge browser should soon leave Windows users alone. For years, Microsoft’s internal software seems to open certain links. And this, even if it is not defined as the default browser of a computer.
Microsoft has announced that a future update should resolve this issue. In a blog post, the company gave a glimpse of future changes that were applied to Windows 11. It also stated: “Dans l’espace économique européen, les composants du système Windows utilisent le navigator par défaut pour ouvrir links”.
Aims directly at dark patterns
Therefore, the measure is limited to the European Union. As the specialized Digital Trends site points out, if these changes are restricted and do not apply in all parts of the world, they are likely to be required by law.
The European standards that govern the platforms have evolved with the entry into force of the Digital Services Act (DSA). Although this new legal tool is mainly used to regulate illegal content on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, TikTok), it is also a limitation for other web giants such as Amazon or Google… and, therefore, for Microsoft .
Officially, however, Microsoft has not established the link with the DSA to explain these changes. In fact, the preview of the future update was published on August 25, the same day as the application of the new European standards.
In the law, point 67 points directly to “dark patterns”, now assimilated to prohibited practices. This term refers to software design mechanisms that deprive users of real choice. Most of the time it goes through too much difficulty to modify some parameter, or simply not allow this change.
This was previously the case with Microsoft, which did not honor the choice of the default browser by its users. Despite your preferences, links, including settings or help pages, kept opening in Edge. However, this “dark pattern” should persist outside of Europe.
Source: BFM TV
