Japan Restricts Apple from Imposing Technical Constraints on Third-Party Browsers
Japanese regulators have announced that Apple cannot impose ‘unreasonable technical restrictions’ that hinder the adoption of alternative browser engines on iOS devices, with a compliance deadline set for December 2025, reports 24brussels.
The guidelines, part of Japan’s Smartphone Act, address concerns regarding Apple’s practices that inhibit competition. Currently, the company’s WebKit browser engine dominates the iPhone ecosystem, preventing other browsers, such as Chrome, from utilizing their respective engines on the platform.
According to translations by the Open Web Advocacy organization, the new regulations explicitly prevent Apple from imposing excessive financial burdens on developers who adopt alternative engines, and from steering users away from apps that incorporate these alternatives.
The guidelines state: “Imposing unreasonable technical restrictions on individual app providers while allowing them to adopt alternative browser engines, placing excessive financial burdens on individual app providers for adopting alternative browser engines, and steering smartphone users away from using individual software that incorporates alternative browser engines.”
This move by Japan highlights ongoing global efforts to ensure fair competition in digital markets, potentially paving the way for new browser experiences on Apple devices. As jurisdictions worldwide scrutinize major tech companies, the implications of Japan’s stance could reverberate beyond its borders, influencing similar regulations elsewhere.
The discussions around these guidelines reflect a broader context in which governments are grappling with the balance between fostering innovation and maintaining competitive marketplaces against the backdrop of increasing digital dependence.
Industry watchers will be observing how Apple responds to these regulatory changes and whether they will lead to meaningful adjustments in their App Store policies and browser strategies in the coming months.
