Government finds alternatives more privacy-friendly than Edge
A government-commissioned study presents Firefox, Brave and Vivaldi more favourably than Microsoft Edge for Business.
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Alternative browsers process fewer personal data than Microsoft Edge for Business, according to a government-commissioned study. The researchers recommend examining Mozilla Firefox Enterprise in particular as a possible alternative within government.
The study was commissioned by Strategic Vendor Management Cloud, the organisation that manages government-wide agreements on software and cloud services. The comparison covers four browsers: Microsoft Edge for Business, Mozilla Firefox Enterprise, Brave and Vivaldi.
According to the government memo, the browsers examined were assessed in privacy-friendly configurations on Windows 11 with centrally managed settings. According to the study’s summary, Firefox, Brave and Vivaldi collected considerably less personal data overall than Edge.
The reason for the study lies in the way Microsoft processes data. According to the government organisation, Microsoft processes personal and customer data when its browser is used for its own purposes, including commercial purposes. According to the memo, Microsoft did not wish to revise that position, but did propose settings to limit data processing.
The study does not claim that the alternatives are completely privacy-free in all circumstances. According to the government memo, the data sent to developers and third parties was also examined for Firefox, Brave and Vivaldi. The findings also depend on the configuration chosen and on which functions organisations enable.
The findings therefore do not amount to an immediate decision to replace Edge everywhere. However, according to the researchers, they do provide grounds for examining Firefox Enterprise more closely. For government organisations, this may mean a new assessment balancing privacy, management, compatibility and dependence on a major software supplier.
The comparison was published via Open Overheid. A summary by Security.NL likewise reports that the three alternatives scored better than Edge for Business in the study on data minimisation and countering tracking cookies.
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One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Rijksoverheid commissioned a comparison of four browsers’ data processing and privacy settings.
- Firefox Enterprise, Brave and Vivaldi performed more favourably than Edge for Business in the configurations examined.
- No decision has yet been taken to replace Edge within government.
Left
Arguments The government should have public data processed for commercial purposes as little as possible and should therefore switch more quickly to browsers that offer greater data minimisation.
Values Privacy, public oversight and digital autonomy carry significant weight.
Consequences A switch could reduce dependence on large American technology companies, but would require investment in management, support and training.
Centre
Arguments The findings justify a serious pilot with alternatives, but a final choice must also take account of security, accessibility, compatibility and cost.
Values Carefulness, feasibility and proportionate policy.
Consequences A phased comparison could limit risks, but would mean managing multiple systems alongside one another temporarily.
Right
Arguments The government should not automatically replace software on the basis of a single privacy study. Competition and clear settings could provide better protection without unnecessary bureaucratic migration.
Values Efficiency, freedom of choice and restraint in government intervention.
Consequences Retaining Edge could be cheaper and more practical, but would leave the existing dependence on Microsoft largely intact.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article’s central claim is based directly on the government memo and an independent summary. The text makes clear that this is a comparison under specific settings, not a definitive policy decision.
- confirmed Four browsers were examined on behalf of the Rijksoverheid. — This is stated in the memo and comparison table published by Open Overheid. source
- confirmed Firefox, Brave and Vivaldi scored better overall than Edge for Business. — The government memo and Security.NL describe this outcome. source
- confirmed According to the memo, Microsoft processes data for its own purposes, including commercial purposes. — This wording appears in the study’s summary. source
Editor's note
It is certain that four browsers were compared on behalf of the Rijksoverheid and that the alternatives performed more favourably in the chosen configuration. It remains uncertain which browser the government will ultimately choose; the study is not an implementation decision.Sources
- Memo privacy-onderzoek browsers — Open Overheid
- Overheid deed privacyonderzoek naar browsers: alternatieven beter dan Edge — Security.NL