Google Search now targeted by Japan's antitrust watchdog

Google Search’s business model is costing the company more than a few headaches. A few weeks ago, a US court ruled that Google was practicing an illegal monopoly in the search engine segment. Recently, the brand even offered its own proposals to try to resolve the situation. Now, Japan’s antitrust watchdog has found anti-competitive practices by Google, also related to the Search service.

Google has some controversial requirements for Android brands to obtain Google Play certification. In particular, the Mountain View giant requires phone manufacturers to pre-install Google Search as part of the “package.” For many years, these mandatory pre-installation apps by Android brands have been known as “Gaaps” among the community. However, it is Google Search that is the crux of the problem due to the company’s dominant position.

Japan’s antitrust watchdog reportedly to issue a “cease and desist” to Google Search-related practices

According to The Japan Fair Trade Commission, Japan’s antitrust watchdog, Google even goes further by requiring the Search app or bar to be placed in a specific position on the home screen that makes it easier to access. Let’s remember that, without Google Play certification, Android manufacturers cannot integrate the Play Store into their phones. Not having it is a big problem considering that Play Store is the main access point to apps for most Android users around the world.

The commission also claims that Google agrees to pay a segment of ad revenue to phone makers who do not pre-install any other search engine on their products. So, the agency reportedly plans to issue a “cease and desist” order against these practices that are affecting competitiveness in the search engine segment in the country. Once issued, Google will have to cancel the current deals involving such practices and not try them again.

Google dominates searches in Japan too

According to the report, Japan’s antitrust watchdog has been investigating the “Google case” since October 2023. As in the rest of the world, the firm has the most-used search engine, by far. A study by GlobalStats revealed that, in 2023, 81% of searches in Japan were through Google’s search engine. In second place is Yahoo, with a distant 11.8%.

There is still no official word from Google on the allegations from Japan’s antitrust watchdog yet.