Due to its failure to comply with a 2009 European Commission law for Windows 7 users to easily choose their default browsers, Microsoft has been handed an eye-watering $730m fine. This comes after the EC found that Microsoft removed the pop-up screen to let users choose their default Internet browsers on Windows 7 Service Pack 1, and instead automatically sets the Internet Explorer browser as the default. The lack of a browser choice screen comes in direct contradiction to Microsoft’s commitments to the EC back in 2009 over the same issue. As a result, over 15 million Windows users in the EU did not see the screen, and were stuck with Internet Explorer.

In its response, Microsoft acknowledged its mistake and took full responsibility over the issue, which it has labeled a technical error. The company has issued an apology and announced that it will “take steps to strengthen (its) software development” to avoid this mistake, besides also announcing that they will not appeal the fine.

In contrast, $730 million makes the RM190000 penalty dished out to our local telcos yesterday a mere slap on the wrist, doesn’t it?

(Source: Engadget)