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Japan releases guidelines for IT giants regarding smartphone apps
The Japan Fair Trade Commission has released guidelines for IT giants like Google and Apple concerning smartphone apps ahead of new laws to enhance competition in the app market, effective December 18. The guidelines restrict data use for competitive advantage and mandate OS functionalities to be accessible for app development.
Key points
- The Japan Fair Trade Commission issued guidelines to tech giants regarding app market competition.
- New law effective December 18 promotes competition by preventing exclusion of third-party app stores.
- Guidelines prohibit using proprietary data to gain competitive edges in apps.
- Companies must allow user choices for search engines when purchasing devices.
- Apple raised concerns about potential sharing of confidential information.
Why it matters
- This move aligns with global trends toward regulating big tech to ensure fair competition.
- The rise in antitrust actions against tech firms in various countries highlights the increasing scrutiny.
- By 2025, promoting competition and innovation in IT markets will be critical as companies explore emerging technologies.
Japan's guidelines aim to foster a fair app ecosystem, keeping in line with the global trend to regulate tech giants and enhance consumer choice, with significant implications for the future of digital markets.