Opera pleads EU not to leave Microsoft Edge out of the gatekeeper category under the DMA

Opera, the long-standing pioneer in the web browser industry, has recently taken a bold step by appealing to the EU General Court. Their goal? To challenge the European Commission’s decision that left Microsoft Edge out of the “gatekeeper” category under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

In a press release, Opera says this decision isn’t just about competition; it’s about ensuring that every user has the right to choose their preferred browser on every platform, including the ubiquitous Windows operating system.

Today, we are appealing the European Commission’s decision* not to designate Microsoft Edge as a gatekeeper despite meeting all of the quantitative thresholds of the DMA. We believe that the decision in particular fails to properly assess Edge’s durable and privileged position on Windows devices which creates an uneven playing field for its competitors. Edge, like Internet Explorer before it, is the gatekeeper through which users on Windows must pass to download another browser. This is precisely the type of gatekeeper role which the DMA was intended to address. 

Opera

For nearly three decades, Opera has been at the forefront of advocating for open standards and fair access to technology. Their latest appeal is a testament to their commitment to these principles.

The DMA, legislation designed to dismantle the control of powerful digital platforms over user choice, has significantly promoted browser diversity on mobile devices. Now, Opera argues, it’s time to extend these freedoms to desktop users.

Despite the progress made on smartphones, third-party browsers like Opera still face an uphill battle on Windows. By not being designated as a gatekeeper under the DMA, Microsoft Edge enjoys a privileged position that makes it harder for users to switch to alternative browsers. Opera believes this is unfair and inconsistent with the DMA’s objectives.

A simple yet powerful belief drives Opera’s DMA appeal: you should be free to choose your browser, regardless of the platform. In an era where browsers play a crucial role in how we interact with the digital world, ensuring that this choice is respected is more important than ever.

Opera’s journey reminds us of the ongoing battle for fairness and choice in the digital age. As they present their case to the General Court of the European Union, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for how we experience the internet.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Edge’s market share remains steady at over 13 percent. Google Chrome is still the most popular browser worldwide, while Opera is the fifth most popular. However, Opera’s recent One R2, an AI-based browser set to change how we consume media on the Internet, might boost the browser to a higher place.