Technology Japan passes law to force Apple and Google to allow third party app stores

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Content source

https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/pressreleases/yearly-2024/June/240612.html

The key requirements listed that both Apple and Google will have to meet in Japan are as follows:

• Allow third-party app stores on their devices;
• Allow application developers to use third-party billing services;
• Enable users to change default settings with simple procedures, and offer choice screens for tools like browsers;
• Not allowed to engage in any form of preferential treatment of their services over those of competitors in the display of search results without justifiable reason;
• Not allowed to use acquired data about competing applications for their own applications;
• Not allowed to prevent application developers from using features controlled by the OS with the same level of performance as the one used by Designated Providers.

Read more: Apple and Google will have to start allowing third party app stores in Japan

Japan's parliament enacted Wednesday a law to promote competition in smartphone app stores by restricting tech giants Apple Inc. and Google LLC from limiting third-party companies from selling and operating apps on their platforms.

The law will prohibit the providers of Apple's iOS and Google's Android smartphone operating systems, app stores and payment platforms from preventing the sale of apps and services that directly compete with the native platforms' own.

The change is aimed at stopping the dominant players from gatekeeping and forcing them to engage in price competition with smaller challengers in hopes of benefiting consumers and promoting innovation.

The law will also prohibit the tech giants from giving priority to their own services in internet search results.

Read more: Japan enacts law to curb Apple, Google's app dominance

Source:

Regarding the passage of the Act on Promotion of Competition for Specified Smartphone Software | Japan Fair Trade Commission

2024/06/12

www.jftc.go.jp