Japan Issues Cease-and-Desist Order to Google Over Antitrust Violations

The JFTC accuses Google of forcing Android manufacturers to pre-install Google Play and Chrome, marking Japan's first such action against a global tech giant.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has issued a cease-and-desist order to Google, citing antitrust violations in the Android ecosystem.
Google is accused of requiring Android smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Google Play and Chrome, limiting competition since at least July 2020.
JFTC official Saiko Nakajima stated that the move aims to enhance market competition and provide more options for smartphone manufacturers.
This is Japan's first cease-and-desist order against a global tech giant, reflecting a broader trend of international antitrust scrutiny targeting major technology companies.
Google Japan expressed disappointment with the ruling and announced plans to review the order to determine its next steps.