FAS initiated a case against Microsoft
the Federal Antimonopoly service (FAS) of the Russian Federation launched an investigation against Microsoft, which is suspected of abuse of a dominant position on the market.
the Reason was that Microsoft has reduced the period of adaptation of third-party anti-virus software for the new market version of Windows 10 with 2 months to six days. This period is critical for manufacturers of anti-virus software, designed to work with Windows 10, according to the FAS on its website.
In the FAS think that the way Microsoft intends to provide benefit to their own Windows Defender antivirus, which is automatically included if a foreign anti-virus has not yet adapted to the new OS. The actions of the company are regarded as the infringement of the interests of other market players and consumers, which is a violation of part 1 article 10 of the law on protection of competition.
Claim of “Kaspersky Lab”
Microsoft has complained the Russian manufacturer of antivirus software “Kaspersky Lab”. the Igor Chekunov, Deputy General Director for legal Affairs and security, said that his actions deprive Microsoft of the “Laboratory” opportunities to fulfill obligations to users. Users, in turn, lose the opportunity to choose the antivirus according to your taste from a wide selection.
“the virus” complained to the FAS on Microsoft, and the FAS refused to prosecute.
as a result of third-party anti-virus vendors are losing money – as well as users who are unable to paid services because they have bought the anti-virus is not adapted to OS.
According to Hope Kashchenko, Director of the office of intellectual property of the Laboratory, in six days antivirus developers do not have time to modify their products to full compatibility with the next version of Windows 10 that they effectively reflect threats from the moment its release.
If the user navigates to the new Windows 10 and its version of the antivirus is still not compatible, the system, instead of having to tell him about it, just removes third-party anti-virus and install Windows Defender, it says “Laboratory”.
“Kaspersky Lab” notes that immediately appealed to the FAS, as Microsoft is its long-term partner. A formal complaint was preceded by several months of direct negotiations with Microsoft, which failed. In addition to FAS, the Lab plans to appeal to the European Commission.
Reaction to Microsoft
the Press service of Microsoft said CNews, that the company had not yet received official notification from the FAS, and is going to carefully study the case, when will get them. Representatives of the company confirmed its commitment to work in accordance with the antitrust laws and was reminded of a long-term partnership relationship between the software giant and “Kaspersky Lab”.
Eugene Kaspersky about the problem
the Founder of “Kaspersky Lab” Evgeny Kaspersky, commenting on the situation in his blog, said that Microsoft under the guise of improving the Windows platform for several years successively displace from the market of products of independent developers, replacing them with their own decisions “is not the best quality.” According to Kaspersky, users complaining on relevant forums that Windows 10 removes installed applications third-party applications, replacing them with Microsoft products.
in Addition to the reduction of adaptation period of six days, Microsoft has changed the procedure by which a third-party antivirus informs the user that the term of its license has expired. The warnings come in the form of system notifications that are easy to miss. If the license is not renewed within three days, Windows 10 removes this antivirus and it runs instead of Windows Defender, Kaspersky writes.
in addition, if Windows 10 installed two antivirus third-party, and one of them expired, the system removes both, to include Windows Defender, according to Kaspersky. The head of the “Laboratory” also notes the obsessive behavior of Windows Defender which is constantly attracting the user’s attention with its provocative message, even if the security of the system following third-party antivirus.
Turning to the FAS, the Lab requires Microsoft to oblige in a reasonable time provide a new version of Windows for the adaptation of independent products. In addition, Windows should inform the user about the incompatibility of the version of the antivirus before upgrading your system and recommend compatible version after the upgrade. Windows should also openly solicit user consent to launch Windows Defender, and not in the form of a question “to Protect your system?”
Windows Defender and products “virus”
Windows Defender (Windows Defender) is an anti – virus FOR Microsoft preinstalled in Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10. Antivirus was developed on the basis of product GIANT AntiSpyware created by GIANT Company Software, Inc. The company was acquired by Microsoft in 2004.
Eugene Kaspersky indicates that Windows Defender has a number of disadvantages compared to separate products: there is no built-in VPN, parental control, backup, protection, webcam, password Manager, protection from exploits, protect online transactions and other useful features.
According to the own data of “Kaspersky Lab”, now its products are used by 400 million users and 270 thousand corporate clients worldwide. The company’s revenue in 2015 amounted to $ 619 million. the Company operates in more than 200 countries, the main office is located in Moscow, employs 3,300 staff.
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