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Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) is reportedly preparing to issue a cease-and-desist order against Google for alleged antitrust violations. This development follows an extensive investigation into Google’s business practices, with authorities accusing the tech giant of monopolistic behaviour in its web search services.
The JFTC began scrutinising Google’s operations in October last year, examining whether the company’s dominance in the search engine market breached Japan’s antimonopoly laws, reports Nikkei Asia.
The investigation mirrors similar probes conducted by regulators in Europe and the United States, which have increasingly sought to rein in the power of major tech firms.
As the world’s most widely used browser, Chrome is a critical tool for collecting user data, enabling Google to refine its ad-targeting strategies and bolster its profitability. This dominance has raised concerns about the lack of fair competition in the browser market.
Japan’s impending action is part of a broader global trend of regulatory pushback against tech giants. In the United States, the Department of Justice (DOJ) recently argued in court that Google would divest its Chrome browser entirely.
The DOJ proposed a five-year ban on the company’s re-entry into the browser market, aiming to dismantle Google’s alleged monopoly in online search services.
Similarly, European regulators have imposed heavy fines and introduced legislation to curb the influence of dominant tech companies. These measures foster competition and protect smaller players in the digital ecosystem.
While the JFTC has not formally announced, the anticipated cease-and-desist order would require Google to halt monopolistic practices. This could involve significant operational changes, potentially limiting Google’s ability to leverage its browser dominance for advertising gains.
Another big tech company, Apple, is also facing regulatory actions. In November 2024, the Competition Commission of India rejected Apple’s plea to pause the antitrust probe. The European Commission also initiated two proceedings against Apple targeting iOS connectivity features and the company’s process for managing interoperability requests from developers and third-party businesses.
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