Japan has followed the lead of the European Union and passed a law banning Apple and Google from blocking third-party app stores for Japanese users. This law is expected to come into force by the end of 2025. The law aims to reduce execution prices and create a fairer market by competing with smaller rivals.
This new law is called the “Law to Promote Competition in Certain Smartphone Software.” It contains rules similar to the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). It requires certain providers to allow third-party app stores on their platforms, requires app developers to offer third-party billing services, and makes it easier for users to change their default settings and web browsers.
On the other hand, the law prevents technology giants from highlighting their own services in search results. This was one of Google's practices targeted under the DMA. Japan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) will impose fines of up to 20% of domestic revenues on providers who violate the law, and up to 30% for repeated violations.
Epic Games is in Japan after this law Fortnite and announced plans to bring its play store platform to iOS. The company is working to bring these services back to iOS in the European Union later this year. Previously, Apple banned Epic Games' developer account and then reopened it.
Japan's FTC stated that these changes were made because it felt that smartphone operating systems, app stores, browsers and search engines were an “oligopoly market” and that existing antitrust laws would take an “extraordinarily long time” to address this situation.
“The Japanese government has made a number of changes to help protect user privacy, data security, innovation, and our intellectual property,” Apple spokesman Fred Sainz said in a statement to The Verge. said. Additionally, “We remain concerned about the law's impact on the secure and private iPhone experience Japanese consumers and users have come to expect.” He stated that they will continue to cooperate with JFTC in the implementation process.
As a result, Japan's new law aims to challenge the dominance of tech giants in the app store market and create a more competitive environment. This may present significant opportunities for application developers and users. However, the full impact of the laws will only be understood after they come into force.
This law is considered an important step in terms of its impact on global technology regulations. Other countries may also consider restricting the market dominance of tech giants with similar laws. In this way, a more fair and competitive digital ecosystem can be created around the world.