Yeah I don't understand Microsoft trying to push Edge so much and more so, people actually falling for it.

They're admitting that they are unable to build a good browser themselves, then they basically rip off chrome and skin it up a bit and we're supposed to think it's amazing?? And then they start adding all this scamware like the "shopping assistant" and "buy now pay later" scams. Google doesn't even go that far and they do most of the work making this browser. I didn't even know it was so difficult to get away from Bing as I only use it at work.

I see why business admins love it so much, because it is of course well supported by their management ecosystem. Also, Microsoft lobbied the top brass at companies like crazy to make it the default browser and gain marketshare. Even every call sharing a screen with a MS consultant resulted in "Why are you not on Edge yet??" :( It's like they get paid per conversion or something.

Edit: PS I hate both Chrome and Edge for their privacy invasion (as you mentioned) but if I would use either I would use the real thing and not the knockoff.