The Japanese government is preparing to introduce antitrust regulations that will require tech giants such as Apple and Google to enable the use of other companies’ app stores and alternative payment methods on their platforms. The proposed regulation aims to promote competition and consumer choice, as well as allow the installation of apps from sources other than the official app store.
The planned regulations cover four main areas: app stores and payments, search engines, browsers, and operating systems. If approved, the Japan Fair Trade Commission will have the power to impose fines on companies that violate the regulations. Details are expected to be revealed in spring 2024.
This initiative comes after the Japanese government began investigating potential anticompetitive practices by major tech firms such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook. Many Japanese developers have also expressed dissatisfaction with Apple’s App Store business model. A regulator’s survey conducted in 2023 showed that Apple and Google have a dominant position in the mobile app market.
The proposed regulations aim to create more equal conditions for competition, allowing Japanese companies to establish their own app stores on iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, developers would have the option to use local fintech payment systems with lower fees.
Japanese antitrust regulations are similar to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) introduced by the European Union. Under the DMA, Apple is required to allow developers to distribute iOS apps outside the App Store and accept payments from external platforms within the apps.
While Apple has not yet announced its approach to meeting DMA requirements, the company has reportedly been working on implementing the ability to install apps from sources other than the App Store in regions where it is obligated to do so. However, Apple has consistently expressed concerns about installing apps from other sources, citing user safety issues.
Considering that Japan is considering regulations similar to the DMA in the EU, it is becoming increasingly evident that more countries are examining and questioning Apple’s control over its app ecosystem. This trend raises important questions about the future of app distribution and the power dynamics between tech giants and developers.
The source of the article is from the blog oinegro.com.br