Dark patterns in Windows are steering users to Edge: Mozilla-commissioned report

https://www.theregister.com/os-platforms/2026/07/15/dark-patterns-in-windows-are-steering-users-to-edge-mozilla-commissioned-report/5271792

by Bender • 8 days ago

41 6 8 days ago

theregister.com

gnabgib• 8 days ago

Original source: https://blog.mozilla.org/en/mozilla/browser-choice-windows-r...

wolvoleo• 8 days ago

I don't really understand why they're putting so much effort in pushing what is basically a reskinned Google product. Why do they care that I use it?

I have to use it at work because Microsoft lobbied them heavily and I don't like it at all. But they've also pushed to remove Firefox from everyone's computer :(

But really if you want chrome (I don't) why not use the real thing instead of the knock-off?

Grombobulous• 8 days ago

It’s not about the underlying technology, it’s about all the stuff that comes with it.

If you’re pushed to use Edge your default search engine is now Bing, which means ad revenue for Microsoft, and things like idle news browsing being sent over to MSN.

Tostino• 7 days ago

Like the other commenter said, Microsoft has zero care for technological supremacy, or even just pushing out a good product. What they do care about is all the useful telemetry data and other signals that get generated inside a browser that they now have access to. Heck, they don't even have to pay to continue supporting the underlying browser technology like they did when they were competing using Internet Explorer.

Chu4eeno• 7 days ago

As exposed in the recent indictment, their analytics submits everything you do in Edge with your unique ID to them, so they can track every site you visit and everything you do on them, down to hotel reservations.

Windows and everything else Microsoft ships is just a way to get better targeting data for ads.

aitchnyu• 7 days ago

A quick search shows dark patterns are illegal in USA and EU under various laws. Are they not enforced at all?

Some apps employing dark patterns were forced to remove them here in India. They are defined in one document AFAIK.

Dark patterns in Windows are steering users to Edge: Mozilla-commissioned report

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