Tech Optimizer
March 5, 2025
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled that Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which has been the default antivirus software in Windows since 2015, does not constitute an abuse of dominant position under Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002. The case was initiated by an anonymous informant, XYZ, who claimed that Microsoft's pre-installed Defender created barriers for third-party antivirus developers. The informant identified three challenges faced by these developers: the need for one-sided agreements to access Microsoft's Antimalware API, limited access to the Windows ecosystem, and the inability to operate efficiently without being set as the default application. Microsoft defended its position by stating that Defender is an integrated feature of Windows provided at no extra cost, and users can install third-party solutions freely. The CCI found no evidence of coercion or violation of the Competition Act, noting that the cybersecurity sector remains competitive and innovative. The CCI ultimately dismissed the claims against Microsoft, stating that the informant did not establish a prima facie case for action.
