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Brazil Opens Antitrust Probe into Microsoft Following Opera’s Complaint

By  |  August 3, 2025
Microsoft

Brazil’s competition watchdog CADE has launched an antitrust investigation into Microsoft, following a formal complaint by Norwegian software company Opera over the U.S. tech giant’s browser practices, according to Reuters.

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    Opera filed its complaint on Tuesday, alleging that Microsoft is unfairly giving its Edge browser an advantage by pre-installing it as the default option on Windows devices. This, Opera contends, undermines fair competition by limiting consumer choice and making it difficult for rival browsers to gain traction, per Reuters.

    The investigation comes amid growing scrutiny of Big Tech firms’ dominance in digital markets. CADE confirmed in a statement released late Thursday that it has opened an administrative inquiry into the matter. The regulator has given Microsoft until August 15 to address Opera’s allegations concerning Microsoft’s licensing practices for its Windows operating system, its Microsoft 365 suite, and its Jumpstart programme.

    Related: Opera Files Antitrust Complaint Against Microsoft in Brazil Over Browser Practices

    Jumpstart, which allows customers to develop autonomous AI agents to streamline repetitive tasks, could provide Microsoft with an edge in the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector. While similar tools are being developed by other tech giants, CADE is now examining whether such initiatives could further entrench Microsoft’s market dominance, according to Reuters.

    The backdrop to this latest complaint includes a long history of tensions between Opera and Microsoft. Opera previously raised concerns over Microsoft bundling Internet Explorer with Windows as early as 2007, a move that led the European Commission to fine Microsoft €561 million ($640 million).

    As of June, Opera held 6.78% of Brazil’s desktop browser market, compared to Microsoft Edge’s 11.52%. Google Chrome continued to dominate the market with a 75% share.

    Source: Reuters