New figures from StatCounter reveal Internet Explorer is no longer the most popular browser in Europe, being taken over by Mozilla Firefox.
The revelation comes after Microsoft was forced to give browsers a choice when installing software as opposed to simply installing Internet Explorer by default. This compromise was the settlement of a 2009 antitrust case.
The figures show that in January 2010, Mozilla Firefox 3.5 had a 29% share in Europe, with Internet Explorer holding 23%, and Chrome holding just 5%.
“As a non-profit organisation, Mozilla was founded with a mission to drive choice and innovation on the web,” Mozilla said in a statement.
“Today’s news reinforces principles that Mozilla has long championed, the importance of respecting user choice and putting users in control of their web experience.”
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
