Firefox and other bits of software have become tools of spying by Microsoft because Yahoo! had essentially turned into a Microsoft proxy when it comes to search in several countries (I recently saw that happen in the UK, not just the US). We chronicled Microsoft's hijack of Yahoo for many years. It was entryism.

"Microsoft can try all it wants to pretend it's about "choice" after destroying Yahoo as a search contender."Several years ago it seemed like Microsoft was destroying Yahoo! altogether (reducing the number of options for searchers while it was falsely described as 'choice' because of Google's dominance), but with Mayer entering Yahoo! there are some signs of hope. According to this new report, Yahoo's "Mayer had reportedly plotted to end the relationship [with Microsoft] as recently as February."

Microsoft’s booster Peter seems to suggest that Yahoo is distancing itself from Ballmer's gang, whereas a more objective source says that the latest development "means that Yahoo could, for example, augment the results with those of Duck Duck Go or Wolfram Alpha."

In conclusion it says: "It now appears that Yahoo is looking to make itself distinct from Bing by having the freedom to sell its own advertising and make searches more its own.

Microsoft can try all it wants to pretend it's about "choice" after destroying Yahoo! as a search contender. If Yahoo! ever manages to become independent from Microsoft again, that would really be something. ⬆