Around the world, government organizations are increasingly scrutinizing Google for its monopolistic practices. The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is reportedly set to announce that Google has violated the country’s antitrust laws concerning its search engine and Chrome browser. According to Nikkei Asia, the JFTC will issue a cease and desist letter to Google. This follows an investigation that the watchdog initiated last October into Google’s business practices.
The JFTC’s investigation reportedly found that Google requires smartphone manufacturers to sign contracts stipulating that Chrome must not only be pre-installed on all devices but also positioned in a specific spot on the screen. This arrangement is allegedly a prerequisite for manufacturers to gain access to the Google Play Store on their devices.
In the United States, federal judge Amit Mehta ruled in November that Google holds a monopoly in the search engine industry. Following this ruling, the Department of Justice (DoJ) called for Google to divest its Chrome browser. The DoJ argued that this action “will permanently stop Google’s control of this critical search access point and allow rival search engines the ability to access the browser that for many users is a gateway to the internet.”
Additionally, the DoJ demanded that Google cease favoring Chrome on Android devices. In response to these pressures, Google recently released a proposal aimed at addressing the DoJ’s concerns. However, the company has also stated its intention to appeal Judge Mehta’s ruling, with a hearing scheduled for April. These developments highlight the growing global efforts to curb Google’s dominance and promote fair competition in the tech industry.
