Google criticised for backing EC battle with Microsoft

Google has come under fire for assisting the EC's case against Microsoft

Google has applied to be a third party in the European Commission's proceedings against Microsoft for tying Internet Explorer to the Windows operating system.

However, web users have complained that Google's move is hypocritical, and that the firm is merely attempting to gain an edge on its major rival.

Google made the announcement in its Public Policy blog on Tuesday, following recent allegations by Mozilla that Microsoft is diminishing choice and innovation in internet access.

"Google believes that the browser market is still largely uncompetitive, which holds back innovation for users," wrote Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management at Google.

"This is because Internet Explorer is tied to Microsoft's dominant computer operating system, giving it an unfair advantage over other browsers."

But in response to the blog, one commentator called 'Josh' argued: " Amazingly, no one yells at Apple for bundling Safari with Mac OSX. If you are going to get involved in the debate, Google, try not showing so much favouritism in your policies."

So far, 18 comments have been left on the blog and only one response was in favour of Google's support for the European Commission.

A user with the name 'Primefalcon' urged everyone to "give Google a break", but his reasoning seemed to have more to do with his belief that Microsoft was using "unfair business tactics" than because he thought Google should be joining the proceedings.

A posting by 'Ted Howard' said: "Google is the default search engine in Chrome and Firefox. Where is my choice as a user?"

A post by 'XC' said: "How about chasing mobile phone manufacturers who bundle OS, browser and applications? EU should look at Nokia, Apple and RIM also."

A statement by the European Commission on 17 January read: "The tying of Internet Explorer with Windows, which makes Internet Explorer available on 90 per cent of the world's PCs, distorts competition on the merits between competing web browsers insofar as it provides Internet Explorer with an artificial distribution advantage which other web browsers are unable to match. "

Ironically, Google may find itself at the centre of an antitrust investigation after the new assistant attorney general for antitrust at the US Department of Justice said that she considers Google to be a monopoly.