Japan will require iPhone to allow access to third-party app stores
Japan will require iPhone to allow access to third-party app stores
Japan will require iPhone to allow access to third-party app stores.
Japan to submit new regulations requiring Apple’s iPhone to allow access to third-party app stores.
The Japanese government is introducing regulations requiring Apple to allow users across the country to download apps outside of its official app store.
The two tech giants have faced regulations from different countries requiring them to open up their platforms to let users install apps from third parties.
For example, Europe’s Digital Marketplaces Act will force companies like Apple to offer the option to allow third-party app stores on their platforms and alternative payment systems.
According to the Japan Times, Japan is the next country to impose regulations on these companies.
It would require Apple and Google to let users download apps through services other than their app stores.
The government’s aim is to stimulate competition, which it believes will lower the price of apps.
The government will compile a list of prohibited practices for operating system providers to prevent them from showing bias against their services and payment platforms.
The regulations were drawn up at the government’s Digital Market Competition Headquarters, led by Chief Cabinet Secretary Koichi Matsuno.
The government intends to present corresponding legislation during the upcoming regular session of Parliament in 2024.
Japan is also concerned that Apple and Google apps will come pre-installed by default on iPhones and Android smartphones .
As a result, the two companies will be required to make it easy for users to remove the apps and cannot give preferential treatment to their services in their search engines.
Apple does not have an official search engine like Google, but the government may be referring to Spotlight, a native search feature on Apple devices that lets users search for content on the device and provides web search suggestions.
Due to Apple’s rules, it’s not possible to install iOS apps from places other than the App Store. Meanwhile, while Google allows Android users to install apps from third-party sources, 97 percent still use the Google Play Store.
However, each company also prevents third-party app providers from accepting user payments through any payment platform other than those provided by Apple or Google.
Apple CEO Tim Cook cited privacy and security as two reasons why Apple doesn’t allow apps to be downloaded outside of the iOS App Store.
However, Japan’s regulations will require developers to implement some privacy and security safeguards for their app stores so users can download apps.
Additionally, the two companies will be forced to enable users to make payments through third-party platforms.
