Japan is reportedly drafting regulations similar to the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which would compel Apple and Google to permit developers to publish iOS apps outside the App Store and Google Play Store.
According to a Nikkei Asia report, the Japanese government is in the process of formulating legislation that would mandate companies with app stores to permit users to download apps from sources other than their official app stores and facilitate alternative payment methods.
Anticipated legislation is scheduled for the upcoming year
The report suggests that the legislation, limiting actions by platform operators, is projected to be submitted to parliament next year.
“The legislation scheduled for submission to parliament in 2024 is aimed at limiting the actions of platform operators, preventing them from retaining users exclusively within their own ecosystems and blocking competitors. It will primarily address four areas: app stores and payments, search, browsers, and operating systems,” the report stated.
The rules empower the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) to levy fines on companies failing to comply, with penalties potentially reaching 6% of the revenue derived from prohibited practices. The legislation grants developers the freedom to opt for their preferred payment systems, alleviating the obligation to share a portion of their earnings with Apple and Google.
Reportedly, Apple is making efforts to enable users in Europe to sideload apps on iPhones, aiming to align with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). A recent filing by the iPhone maker with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicates an anticipation of policy changes concerning applications operating on iOS and iPadOS.
