Back in 2009, Microsoft made a deal with the European Union to create a browser ballot screen that would offer Windows users a choice of which primary web browser to install on their PC. Now, Microsoft is involved in yet another spat over web browsers but seems to want to work with the EU to resolve the issues.
Reuters reports that European Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, the head of its antitrust division, said on Saturday that he has spoken with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about the EU"s current investigation. In July, the EU started to look into complaints from companies like Mozilla and Google, who claim that Microsoft is keeping their Firefox and Chrome browsers from having the same access to the advanced APIs that Microsoft uses for Internet Explorer 10 in Windows RT.
Almunia stated, "In my personal talks with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer he has given me assurances that they will comply immediately regardless of the conclusion of the antitrust probe." There"s no word on when the EU"s investigation is expected to be completed.
If what Almunia says is true, Microsoft might have to make some changes in a hurry if the EU rules on its investigation before Windows RT devices launch on October 26th.
Source: Reuters | Image via Microsoft