Kaspersky Labs and Microsoft reach an agreement on how Windows 10 deals with 3rd party antivirus software-- leading to Kaspersky dropping its European antitrust complaint against Microsoft.
The Russian security company filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission last June, following a similar complaint with the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS). It claimed Microsoft uses its dominant position to push Windows Defender, a security solution Kaspersky deems inferior, by switching off rival antivirus software.
In addition, Kaspersky said Microsoft does not provide developers with enough time to full test Windows 10 upgrades to ensure compatibility with existing software.
Following the agreement, Microsoft will provide developers with final Windows builds earlier, while the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update should allow antivirus apps to “use their own alerts and notifications to renew antivirus products before and after they have expired." It also means no switch-offs due to incompatibility issues.
"We have a long history of cooperation with Microsoft, and we sincerely believe that these changes will make the cybersecurity market healthier, resulting in better protection for all users," a Kaspersky blog post reads. "Protecting information and the data that matters most to our users remains our primary goal."
The deal comes as Kaspersky faces repeated accusations from US intelligence officials and lawmakers of ties with the Russian government-- accusations the company has repeatedly denied, as it insists it never helped any government with cyber espionage.
