Catenaa, Monday, December 23, 2024 – Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) plans to order Google to cease practices it says violate the nation’s antitrust laws, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The JFTC accuses Google of requiring smartphone manufacturers using its Android operating system to pre-install apps such as Google Search and Chrome in exchange for access to the Google Play Store. The tech giant allegedly demands specific placement of these apps on device screens and has struck revenue-sharing deals with manufacturers that exclude rival apps.
Sources said the JFTC has already notified Google of potential disciplinary measures and will decide on further action after reviewing the company’s response.
The investigation adds to mounting global scrutiny of Google’s business practices, with regulators in the United States and Europe also probing the company’s dominance in digital markets.
Google has not yet commented on the expected order.
