Japan investigates Google in search market over suspected law violations

Google accounts for about 70% of the Internet search market share in Japan. (Photo: Reuters)

Japan's antitrust regulator announced on October 23 that it was launching an investigation into Google's web search market. Authorities in Europe and the United States are also tightening regulations on search and other services that Google dominates. Japan will now examine whether the American company is stifling competition.

The commission will review actions such as Google 's requirement for smartphone makers and others to set its search service as the default in device software and functions, Nikkei reported.

In a statement the same day, Google said the openness and flexibility of the Android operating system allows users to customize their devices, whether for browsing or searching the internet. The company will cooperate with government and industry officials.

Google has a more than 70% market share of the Japanese search market. The Commission has determined that any agreement that favors Google's search service or prevents the entry of rival services would have a significant impact on competition.

Japan's watchdog has dealt with other tech giants like Amazon and Apple. In September 2020, the commission approved Amazon Japan's plan to overhaul its business practices, which it said violated antitrust rules.

In September 2021, the investigation with Apple ended after the "bitten apple" changed the payment terms of the reading application, allowing users to watch and listen to a variety of content.

Google is being investigated for alleged monopoly, aiming at Apple and Amazon. Google lost up to 60% of its map application traffic after Apple removed Google Maps from the iPhone in 2020. The information was given by a Google representative in the antitrust trial targeting the search giant.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhat-ban-dieu-tra-google-tren-thi-truong-tim-kiem-do-nghi-ngo-vi-pham-luat-2206185.html