14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft says in a statement that all security features in Windows 10 comply with competition rules, pointing out that despite the antitrust complaint filed by Kaspersky, it's not worried that competition watchdogs would think otherwise.
The software giant explains that it's always working with security vendors across the world to make sure that their products run correctly in Windows and goes on to explain that it has even tried to meet with Kaspersky officials to discuss their concerns, though the meeting hasn't yet taken place.
"Microsoft's primary objective is to keep customers protected and we are confident that the security features of Windows 10 comply with competition laws. We're always interested in feedback from other companies and we engage deeply with AntiMalware vendors and have taken a number of steps to address their feedback. We reached out directly to Kaspersky a number of months ago offering to meet directly at an executive level to better understand their concerns, but that meeting has not yet taken place," a company spokesperson told us.
Kaspersky vs. Microsoft
Russian security company Kaspersky has filed antitrust complaints against Microsoft with Russia, EU, and Germany's competition watchdogs, claiming that the software giant uses its dominant position to push its own antivirus in Windows 10, which is detrimental to third-party solutions.
Furthermore, Kaspersky says that third-party software is often removed when upgrading to new versions of Windows, notifications of expiring licenses are blocked, and the company does not give vendors enough time to test their antivirus products before updating Windows.
Previously, it was believed that Microsoft and Kaspersky met in late 2016 to address some of these concerns, and this is what the Redmond-based company seems to suggest as well, given that some modifications have already been implemented in Windows 10.
For the moment, however, a response from Kaspersky on whether the company is still open to negotiations over the Windows 10 antivirus practices is not yet available, but Microsoft seems to be ready for another antitrust dispute, as it believes that no competition rules are violated.