Following a US court ruling, the Japan Fair Trade Commission is joining the scrutiny of Google's dominance in the search market, alleging anti-competitive practices.
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| Google faces mounting pressure as the Japan Fair Trade Commission prepares to issue a cease and desist order over its alleged anti-competitive practices in the search market. Symbolic Image |
Tokyo, Japan --- December 23, 2024:
The scrutiny of Google's dominance in the search market is intensifying on a global scale. Following a landmark US court ruling that found Google to be a monopolist in search, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is poised to issue a cease and desist order against the tech giant.
The JFTC's investigation, launched last October, centers on Google's alleged anti-competitive practices related to its Chrome browser and Android operating system. The commission reportedly found that Google coerced smartphone manufacturers into pre-installing Chrome as the default browser and placing it prominently on their devices, often as a condition for access to the crucial Google Play Store. This practice, according to the JFTC, stifles competition and limits consumer choice.
This action by the JFTC mirrors the ongoing antitrust lawsuit in the United States, where the Department of Justice has called for drastic measures, including the forced sale of Chrome. While Google has proposed alternative remedies and plans to appeal the US court ruling, the JFTC's impending order underscores the growing international concern over Google's market power and its potential impact on competition and innovation. This series of legal challenges highlights the increasing scrutiny facing tech giants as governments worldwide grapple with the implications of their dominance in the digital marketplace.