|
TOKYO (AP) — Japanese regulators on Tuesday accused U.S. tech
giant Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, echoing similar
moves in the U.S. and Europe.
Google Japan said in a statement that it found the action
“regrettable.” It said it has invested in Japan significantly to
promote innovation as a technology leader.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s “cease and desist order” says
Google must stop the pre-installation of the Google search
engine in Android smartphones, which it said in effect shuts out
competition.
It’s unclear if Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., based in
Mountain View in the Silicon Valley, will take legal action to
fight the order.
In the U.S., a judge ruled last year that Google’s ubiquitous
search engine illegally exploited its dominance to squash
competition. Google has denied the allegations, arguing that
it’s immensely popular because people like what it offers. The
appeals process is likely to take years.
Japanese regulators began their investigation into Google in
2023. They said they consulted with overseas authorities dealing
with similar cases.
European regulators have also slammed what they see as Google’s
monopolistic dominance.
Tuesday’s move marks the first time the Japan Fair Trade
Commission has taken such an action against a major global
technology company.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved
|
|
