Japan serves Google a cease and desist order over its Android bundling deals

Won't let the Big G require its apps and search to be installed on smartphones

Japan’s Fair Trade Commission yesterday ordered Google to stop doing deals that require manufacturers of Android handsets to include its apps.

The Commission’s (JFTC’s) beef with Google centres on “Mobile Application Distribution Agreements” (MADAs) that see handset-makers required to install a Google’s Chrome browser, a Google search bar, links to certain Google apps, and the Google Play digital tat bazaar. The regulator also isn’t fond of deals Google struck with some handset-makers to share revenue derived from search advertising.

The regulator found the conditions of a MADA, and the revenue-sharing deals, both violate Japan’s Antimonopoly Act because they restrict competition and make life harder for new market entrants. Google’s been told to stop requiring pre-installs of its wares and search service, allow installation of rivals’ offerings, and to allow users the choice of default search service.

While the Commission’s presentation on the matter was in Japanese – see the cool slide below – it took the time to issue an English-language version of the announcement that delivered its decision in the matter. Japanese media report this is the first time the Commission has acted against a big American tech company.

A Google spokesperson told us the company is “disappointed by the JFTC's findings, as our agreements with Japanese partners are pro-competitive and have undeniably boosted their ability to invest in product innovations which deliver more choice for consumers.”

The company “will review the order thoroughly to determine our next steps."

A slide from the Japanese Fair Trade Commission's presentation explaining its cease and desist order directed at Google - Click to enlarge

Japan’s investigation into Google’s Android deals commenced in 2023. The country has since also found Google unfairly blocked Yahoo! Japan from using its ad tech and threatened both Google and Apple with enormous fines if they don’t allow open their app stores to competition.

Google faces many anti-monopoly cases around the world and faces possible forced divestment of some businesses in the USA.

Things are also heating up for Google in Taiwan - in a good way – after it yesterday signed a power purchase agreement that will see it fund development of a ten-megawatt geothermal energy project on the island.

The ads and search giant hopes to strike similar deals around Asia and already has an eye on Indonesia and Japan. ®