Software giant Microsoft (MSFT 1.15%) is being hit with a fine from the European Commission for not offering users a browser choice screen that would allow them to easily choose an alternate browser. Microsoft had previously committed in 2009 to including this screen in its Windows 7 Service Pack 1. The fine totals 561 million euros ($732 million).
Microsoft was previously in compliance with the agreement but last July, regulators noticed that Microsoft had stopped complying. The company acknowledged that there was a "technical error" within the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and promised to correct it promptly, accepting responsibility for the mistake.
In a statement today, Microsoft again acknowledged the technical error that caused the problem and again took full responsibility. The company said it provided regulators with a complete assessment and took steps to improve software development to avoid future mistakes.
