Summary: Japan has accused Google of violating anti-monopoly laws by requiring Android phone makers to pre-install its search engine, a move regulators say stifles competition. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has issued a cease and desist order—marking the first time the country has taken such action against a major tech firm. Google, already battling similar cases in the U.S. and EU.
Google seems to be getting hit left, right, and center by watchdogs in different countries. Typically it’s the European Union going after the search giant, but this time around, it’s Japan.
Japan’s regulators accused Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, which sounds very familiar. As the US and the EU have both accused Google of doing the exact same thing.
In response to this accusation, Google said that it found the action “regrettable”. The company also noted that it has invested significantly in Japan to promote innovation as a technology leader.
Japan’s Fair Trade Commission sent a cease and desist order to Google. Essentially forcing Google to stop the pre-installation of the Google search engine in its Android smartphones. Which Japan believes effectively shuts out the competition. Just last year, a judge in the US ruled that Google’s ubiquitous search engine was illegally exploiting its dominance to squash competition. Of course, Google denied these allegations and argued that it’s immensely popular because of what Google Search offers. The appeal process is ongoing and will likely take years.
This is the first time Japan has taken such action against a major tech company.
What comes next?
Obviously, Google is going to take its time, and defend what Japan is accusing them of. This will likely head to trial, though Google could settle with Japan ahead of the trial, by paying an obscene amount of money. But, if it does go to trial, we may not know the results for many years. As these trials take quite some time to take place, and then appeals will need to take place, which adds even more onto it.
However, Google is currently facing anti-monopolistic allegations now in the US, the European Union and Japan. Which could cost Google a pretty penny.
