Microsoft faces operating system probe in Europe - Digital Spy UK

Microsoft has been accused of making it difficult for open-source users to install alternatives to Windows 8. A group of 8,000 Linux developers in Spain have filed an official complaint with the European Commission over the operating system's Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) Secure Boot feature. The Hispalinux group referred to the system as "a de facto technological jail for computer booting systems... making Microsoft's Windows platform less neutral than ever", and pointed out that users must request digital keys from Microsoft to switch to alternative software. Microsoft is standing by its decision to include UEFI in Windows 8, arguing that the system was incorporated for security purposes, Reuters reports. "UEFI is an industry standard aimed at improving computer security and the approach has been public for some time," said a company spokesperson. "We're happy to answer any additional questions, but we are confident our approach complies with the law and helps keep customers safe." Microsoft was fined €561 million (£484m) by the European Commission earlier this month for failing to adequately offer users an alternative to its Internet Explorer web browser. However, the EU declared that there was no evidence Windows 8's security requirements violate anti-competition laws when the issue was raised by an MEP in January. > Microsoft, The Cloud bring unlimited free WiFi to UK rail stations > Shazam appoints ex-BBC iPlayer boss Daniel Danker to spearhead TV push > Microsoft Windows 8 update improves personal apps via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEVP83P4X8IpccR7wOdVTsI_5KoTQ&url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a468785/microsoft-faces-operating-system-probe-in-europe.html

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