Criticism of Microsoft

File:The secret case against Bill Gates

Microsoft Corporation

Type	Public
Traded as	NASDAQ: MSFT
Key people	Satya Nadella (CEO)
Industry	Software, Consumer electronics, Personal computers, Social networking service
Products	Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Xbox, Azure

Criticism of Microsoft refers to the various criticisms and controversies that have surrounded the company since its inception. Microsoft, as one of the largest and most influential technology companies in the world, has faced scrutiny over its business practices, product quality, and impact on the technology industry and society at large.

History of Criticism

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company rose to prominence with its Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office suite of productivity software. As Microsoft grew, it became a dominant force in the software industry, leading to various criticisms and legal challenges.

Antitrust Issues

One of the most significant criticisms of Microsoft has been its alleged monopolistic practices. In the late 1990s, the United States Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft, accusing the company of maintaining a monopoly in the PC operating systems market. The case, known as United States v. Microsoft Corp., focused on Microsoft's bundling of its Internet Explorer web browser with the Windows operating system, which was seen as an attempt to stifle competition from other browsers such as Netscape Navigator.

The case resulted in a settlement in 2001, where Microsoft agreed to share its application programming interfaces with third-party companies and appointed a panel to oversee its compliance. However, the case highlighted concerns about Microsoft's market dominance and its impact on competition.

Product Quality and Security

Microsoft has also faced criticism over the quality and security of its products. Early versions of Windows, such as Windows 95 and Windows 98, were criticized for their instability and frequent crashes. Security vulnerabilities in Microsoft software have been a recurring issue, with products like Windows XP and Internet Explorer being frequent targets for malware and cyberattacks.

In response, Microsoft launched initiatives such as the Trustworthy Computing initiative in 2002, aimed at improving the security and reliability of its products. Despite these efforts, security remains a concern for Microsoft users.

Labor Practices

Microsoft's labor practices have also been a subject of criticism. The company has been accused of using permatemps, or long-term temporary workers, to avoid providing benefits and job security. In 2000, a class-action lawsuit known as Vizcaino v. Microsoft resulted in a settlement where Microsoft agreed to pay $97 million to compensate temporary workers who were denied benefits.

Environmental Impact

As a major technology company, Microsoft has been scrutinized for its environmental impact. Critics have pointed to the company's energy consumption, electronic waste, and carbon footprint. In recent years, Microsoft has pledged to become carbon negative by 2030 and has invested in renewable energy and sustainability initiatives.

Response to Criticism

Microsoft has taken various steps to address the criticisms it has faced. The company has restructured its business practices, improved product quality, and increased transparency. Under the leadership of Satya Nadella, Microsoft has focused on cloud computing, open-source software, and corporate social responsibility.

Also see

• History of Microsoft
• Microsoft Windows
• United States v. Microsoft Corp.
• Bill Gates
• Satya Nadella
• Antitrust law