Key Takeaways
- Microsoft (MSFT) is set to face an antitrust complaint in Brazil from rival browser company Opera, alleging anti-competitive practices favoring its Edge browser.
- Google (GOOGL) has refused to deny receiving a "Technical Capability Notice" from the UK government, raising concerns about potential demands for access to encrypted user data.
- This development revives global privacy debates, especially as Apple (AAPL) has reportedly received a similar request and is challenging it.
Norwegian browser developer Opera has filed a formal complaint against Microsoft (MSFT) with Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), the country's antitrust regulator. The complaint alleges that Microsoft engages in anti-competitive practices by leveraging its dominant position in the operating systems market to give an "unfair advantage" to its Edge browser. Opera claims that Microsoft incentivizes PC manufacturers to exclusively preinstall Edge and employs "dark pattern" tactics to discourage users from downloading alternative browsers. This includes displaying banners within Edge and automatically opening Edge for links from emails, PDFs, and Windows search. This marks the first country where Opera has filed such a public complaint against Microsoft regarding these specific practices. Microsoft has previously faced similar antitrust scrutiny in the European Union regarding its bundling of Internet Explorer with Windows.
Meanwhile, Google (GOOGL) is navigating a complex privacy issue with the UK government. The company has refused to confirm or deny whether it has received a "Technical Capability Notice" (TCN) from the UK, a legal order under the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) that could compel tech companies to provide access to encrypted user data. This refusal has raised concerns among US lawmakers, including Senator Ron Wyden, who has called for an investigation into the UK's surveillance practices.
The situation with Google comes amidst an ongoing dispute between Apple (AAPL) and the UK government over a similar TCN. Apple reportedly received a secret demand in January 2025 to create a "backdoor" to access encrypted user data stored in its iCloud Advanced Data Protection service. Apple has resisted this demand, calling privacy a "fundamental human right" and has even withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection feature from UK users. The company is currently challenging the order in a British surveillance court. Reports suggest that the UK government may be considering backing down from its demand to Apple due to pressure from US officials. However, privacy advocates warn that the broader issue of the UK's attack on encryption remains.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.