Microsoft Responds To Bing Privacy Concerns

Microsoft has been anxious to wrap up its legislative and legal entanglements in Europe. In December 2009, the company announced a long-awaited agreement with the European Commission, the law enforcement body of the European Union responsible for antitrust initiatives, over the inclusion of Internet Explorer with Windows. Under the terms of the agreement announced on 16 December, Microsoft will install an automatic “ballot screen” that will let Windows users choose between 12 different browsers.

Over the summer of 2009, the European Commission had suggested that Windows 7 might have to ship in Europe without Internet Explorer 8 installed. Anxious to avoid having to produce a separate version of its flagship operating system for Europe, Microsoft suggested the ballot screen, which is due to go into effect in mid-March 2010.

The European Commission and Microsoft have historically had a contentious relationship, with the governmental body fining Redmond some $631 million (£386 million) in 2004 for allegedly monopolistic business practices. After that amount of drama, Microsoft may be anxious to avoid any legislative issues with Bing, which managed to incrementally grow its market-share since launching in summer 2009.