Japan to regulate smartphone app stores to end Apple-Google duopoly

This regulation makes a lot of sense. I've wanted a non-Google email client, like Thunderbird, for my Chromebook but can't find one the Google app store. I guess I'll have to side-load it. I do get tired of this. Years ago, I wanted the US Yahoo email client for my Android phone, and again, not there, and had to side-load it, for which I received tons of warning pop-ups from the friendly folks at Google. It seems the tech giants put extra restrictions on those of us with Japan IPs.

While they're at it, they should force Amazon to offer the option of unforking the Fire OS, ie, give users a choice of OS instead of forcing an inferior version on them.

Due to the duopoly status, fees that app developers pay to app store operators remain inflated and the screening process is not sufficiently transparent, the officials said.

The situation also hinders innovation in mobile device apps and restricts consumer choice, they said.

You can think of industries from real estate to mobile phone providers that would benefit from similar legislation. The benefits to consumers and increased economic opportunities for all would be great.

Funny that Japanese business regulators only focus on Google and Apple.

Government has no place regulating private companies.

@Roy

Thanks

Government confusing google and apple, only Apple has such policies, google allows you to install whatever you want, including other stores and handle payments through other methods. Apple is the gatekeeper.

Choices for where to download aps may be limited, but Google and Apple do a good job protecting from malware and other nasty stuff.

Get ready for an influx of malware.

The situation also hinders innovation in mobile device apps and restricts consumer choice, they said.

This pretty much sums up Aeon malls and many others like it.

Many Japanese companies restrict choice.

It will make apps less safe.

I don't believe Japan has the political robustness to navigate this minefield, all issues already mentioned in this discussion forum. Consumers will end up paying the price, just like EU consumers.

The only way to deal with monopoly is to NOT allow concentration of market power in the first instance, once the cat is out of the bag, too late.

NTT / DoCoMo are still dominating the internet and Cell connection market

People are still paying 5,720 yen a month for their fiberoptic connection to the the internet , it is a RIP and the government needs to address this monopoly .

Government has no place regulating private companies.

Actually, that is one of the functions of government.

My memory of the old days is a little hazy, but I recall (pre-iPhone) NTT DoCoMo had end-to-end control of devices, services and apps (i-Mode) for more than half of the market. I don’t recall the government stepping in back then. Now that a couple of American companies are in the game, it’s a big deal.

Hurts losing so many easy yens, to other guys so

Ol boys get the jumpers and work boots ready.

Its "Take" time.

As for whose gonna Pay?

Easy! Everybody knows, answers D!

=Looters Dont…

@Sh1mon M4sada

I don't believe Japan has the political robustness to navigate this minefield, all issues already mentioned in this discussion forum. Consumers will end up paying the price, just like EU consumers.

The only way to deal with monopoly is to NOT allow concentration of market power in the first instance, once the cat is out of the bag, too late.

The envisaged law would make it mandatory for the dominant smartphone operating system providers to allow the entry of third-party app stores if they are deemed safe, government officials said.

Who will vet the third parties?

Should be the govt since they're requiring it

I sometimes just go to google and type in what app I am looking for because the app store doesn't have everything. For example, an app to save subtitles when watching foreign shows when internet connection is bad (26kb/s).

Guys! How many of you know about the "covert channels"?

Unless an app is open source , we can't determine it if doesn't contain any machanism for information gathering/ stealing/transmision.

google? apple? to hell with both. They are closed source.

Open your google account settings to see how many giga bytes they have gathered from your activities. google can through you to jail for 400 years!

MatJune 17 07:31 am JST

Government has no place regulating private companies.

Yep. Before you know it they will want to regulate medicines, aircraft maintenance, bridge and infrastructure engineering quality and all sorts of other stuff that should be left to the good old reliable free market.

NO WAY!!!!!!

gary