Japanese regulators have accused Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, similar to actions taken in the U.S. and Europe. Google Japan expressed regret over the accusation, stating that it has invested significantly in Japan to promote innovation. The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued a “cease and desist order” requiring Google to stop pre-installing the Google search engine on Android smartphones to allow for fair competition. It remains unclear if Google will challenge the order in court.
In the U.S., a judge ruled last year that Google illegally used its dominance to stifle competition, a claim Google denies. The appeals process in the U.S. is expected to be lengthy. Japanese regulators initiated their investigation in 2023 and consulted with overseas authorities. European regulators have also criticized Google’s monopolistic practices.
This action by the Japan Fair Trade Commission is the first time a major global technology company has faced such measures, highlighting growing concerns over tech monopolies worldwide.
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