Google must stop favoring Search and Chrome on Android in Japan

is a weekend editor who covers the latest in tech and entertainment. He has written news, reviews, and more as a tech journalist since 2020. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) has ordered Google to stop making deals that give preference to Google Search and Chrome on Android devices. Nikkei Asia says that it’s the first time the regulator has issued a cease and desist order to a major tech company. The regulator found that Google had asked at least six different Android phone makers for such deals since July 2020, according to Nikkei. The article says the deals included Google sharing revenue with “five business partners”, with the condition that Chrome and Google Search services be “placed on the initial screen” and that other companies’ similar services not be installed at all. As part of its punishment, Nikkei reports that Google will have to relax parts of its deals related to advertising revenue distribution so phone makers have more options. The company will need to get an i ... Read full article.