Japan bans Apple, Google from blocking third-party app stores

(MENAFN) Apple and Google will be required to allow third-party app stores on iPhone and Android devices in Japan, following the enactment of a new law on Thursday. The legislation, passed in June last year, is designed to increase consumer choice and reduce the tech giants’ control over key digital services, including web browsers and search engines, as stated by reports.

Under the new rules, companies must offer multiple default service options to first-time users, a requirement that also applies to operating system updates. The Fair Trade Commission emphasized that the law aims to address the market dominance of Apple and Google, promote competition, and provide users with access to higher-quality services at reasonable prices.

Nevertheless, some experts have raised concerns about balancing convenience with security, warning that insufficient or poorly supported services could compromise user protections.

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