Japan to open up Apple- and
Google-dominated phone apps to competition
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[June 17, 2023]
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan plans to stoke competition in smartphone
app payments, dominated by Apple and Google, by banning major app store
operators from forcing software developers to use the operators' own
payment systems, a government panel said. |
An Apple logo hangs above the entrance to
the Apple store on 5th Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City,
July 21, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo |
The
final report by the panel, released on Friday, also said major
suppliers of smartphone operating systems (OS) should be obliged
to offer users alternative ways to obtain apps in a secure
manner other than their own app stores.
Apple's iOS and Android from Alphabet's Google roughly split
Japan's mobile OS market.
Apple allows users to download iPhone apps only through its own
app store, while both Apple and Google require software
developers to use proprietary payment systems that charge
commissions of up to 30%.
The report said that necessary legislative measures will be
looked into next, while the Asahi Shimbun daily reported on
Saturday the government aims to submit a related bill to
parliament as early as next year.
Members of the government panel include Industry Minister
Yasutoshi Nishimura and Economy Minister Shigeyuki Goto.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
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