EU Concerned About Vista Security

[Slimy]

Follow up on: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=493913

The war of words between Microsoft and the EU continued Tuesday, with the European Commission warning that Windows Vista's built-in security features should not shut third party vendors out of the market.

The warning came after Microsoft made a public statement on the matter, telling reporters that the EU should not attempt to block the security features, as the move would only put customers at risk and delay Vista's launch in Europe. Microsoft has often used the press to put pressure on the EU Commission.

"We are concerned that [regulators] might require the removal of some of the security features we've demonstrated," Microsoft associate general counsel Erich Andersen said. "We want to launch Windows Vista in a fully lawful manner and we want to avoid regulatory decisions that could increase security risks for European consumers."

EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said the Commission understands Microsoft position, but noted it is up to the company "to accept and implement its responsibilities as a near monopolist to ensure full compliance" with European antitrust laws.

"Computer security depends on diversity and innovation in the field of security software, (and) such diversity and innovation could be at risk if Microsoft was allowed to foreclose the existing competition in the security software markets," explained Todd.

Back in March, the EU expressed concern regarding Vista's built-in Internet search functions and new document features. In July, the Commission sent Microsoft a detailed list of concerns regarding Vista, to which Microsoft replied at the end of August. The company says it is currently waiting a response to that reply, and last week warned that any request for product changes could delay Vista's launch.

Microsoft's Andersen added that," One of our principal concerns is that European consumers have access to the same new security features in Windows Vista as everyone else."

Microsoft has had a tumultuous relationship with the European Union after being found guilty of violating antitrust laws in March 2004. The Commission long accused the company of not complying with the ruling, while Microsoft has responded by publicly chiding regulators for ignoring key information.

The company was fined an additional 280.5 million euros in July for continuing non-compliance, and the Commission threatened to double that number if Microsoft did not get its act in gear.

Source

[Sethos]

Sod off EU :laugh:

[Tomo]

Seriously what does the EU know about computer security? They should just go back to debating the shape of bananas and leave the technical stuff to the people who actually know what they are talking about.

[zeroday]

The EU just get more and more annoying :no:

[Joe User 99]

Next thing you know, they'll tell MS to remove the ability to set the Wallpaper, or remove the native screensavers or something stupid like that, because "diversity and innovation could be at risk if Microsoft was allowed to foreclose the existing competition in the wallpaper and screensaver markets"

I don't know who I dispise more, the EU or the RIAA

[Fourjays Veteran]

Surely having a secure operating system for everyone is more important than all this monopolistic crap?

[azz0r_wugg]

Absolute ridiculous, surely the EU union knows its coming across as a fine happy bunch of idiots.

[Emil Valsson]

Microsoft knows anything about security? :laugh:

[strekship]

Microsoft knows anything about security? :laugh:

It is better to have some layer of protection, no matter how weak, than have no layers of basic protection. I just don't understand the EU. Almost every feature of every operating system out there has already been done by other 3rd parties, so how are they supposed to add new features without getting blamed for shutting out the competition?

[alsiladka]

Apple has got everything nearly built in !!! Why are they not caught!!

And what EU wanna say is that please dont make secure OS , as that will hamper the Security app. companie?

Come again please!!!!