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Mozilla, the developer group behind the popular Firefox browser, has said that Microsoft’s banning firefox in certain versions of Windows 8 was akin to returning Windows users to the dark ages before competition. “The upcoming release of Windows and Microsoft's browser practices regarding Windows 8 Metro signal an unwelcome return to the digital dark ages where users and developers didn't have browser choices,” Fox News quoted Mozilla General Counsel, Harvey Anderson, as saying. Anderson argued that Windows 8 RT, a version of the Windows OS rewritten from the ground up to support the ARM processors powering nearly every tablet and smartphone today, prohibits any browser but Internet Explorer from running the classic Windows desktop. “This means that only Internet Explorer will be able to perform many of the advanced computing functions vital to modern browsers in terms of speed, stability, and security to which users have grown accustomed,” he added. Mozilaa’s claims were echoed by Google, maker of the Chrome browser. "We share the concerns Mozilla has raised regarding the Windows 8 environment restricting user choice and innovation. We've always welcomed innovation in the browser space across all platforms and strongly believe that having great competitors make us all work harder,” a Google spokesperson was quoted, as saying. Microsoft declined to comment on the issue.

Mozilla likens Microsoft ban on Firefox as return to ‘Digital Dark Age’