Particle.news
Download on the App Store
14 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

Japan Orders Google to End Antitrust Practices on Android Devices

The Japanese Fair Trade Commission has issued its first-ever antitrust cease-and-desist order against a major U.S. tech company, targeting Google's app preinstallation and revenue-sharing deals.

Overview

  • The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has directed Google to stop requiring Android manufacturers to preinstall its apps, including Google Chrome and Google Play, on devices.
  • The order also prohibits Google from enforcing revenue-sharing agreements that restrict manufacturers from installing rival apps or setting alternatives as default options.
  • This marks the first antitrust action of its kind in Japan against a major U.S. tech firm, reflecting a global trend of increased scrutiny on digital market dominance.
  • The JFTC's investigation, launched in October 2023, found that Google's practices since at least July 2020 hindered fair competition in Japan's smartphone market, which serves over 123 million people.
  • Google has expressed disappointment with the ruling, claiming its agreements are pro-competitive, and is reviewing the order while similar antitrust cases unfold in the U.S. and Europe.