Japan orders Google to cease anti-competitive practices

Japan's Fair Trade Commission has issued a cease-and-desist order against Google LLC, accusing the tech giant of violating antitrust laws by requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install its search engine and Chrome browser on Android devices. This practice, covering 80% of devices sold in Japan, has been deemed anti-competitive as it limits user exposure to alternative services. The commission's investigation revealed that Google had entered into revenue-sharing agreements that further suppressed competition by preventing the installation of rival search engines. This marks a significant regulatory action, being the first of its kind against a major global tech company in Japan. Google has expressed disappointment over the order but has not yet announced how it will respond. The move reflects a growing trend of regulatory scrutiny faced by large technology firms worldwide.