Google faces antitrust battle in Japan over alleged search engine bias 

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, is under scrutiny in Japan as the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) accuses the tech giant of engaging in anticompetitive practices.

According to reports, the FTC alleges that Google pressured smartphone manufacturers to prioritize Google Search in default screen placements, limiting competition in the search engine market.

The commission has issued a cease-and-desist order to Google’s Japan office, marking a significant regulatory challenge for the Mountain View, California-based company.

In a statement, Google expressed disappointment with the FTC’s decision, claiming the regulator did not sufficiently consider the company’s proposed solutions.

“We have continued to work closely with the Japanese government to demonstrate how we are supporting the Android ecosystem and expanding user choice in Japan,” the company said. Google also confirmed its intention to present its arguments during the hearing process but refrained from providing specific details about the allegations or its proposed remedies.

The latest action is not the first instance of Japan’s antitrust watchdog scrutinizing Google. Earlier this year, the FTC issued an administrative order against the company, alleging it used tactics to limit Yahoo Japan’s ability to compete in targeted search advertisements.

Despite these challenges, Alphabet’s stock performance remains resilient. As of December 20, Alphabet’s Class C stock (GOOG) closed at $192.96, marking a daily increase of 1.72%. Pre-market trading showed continued positive momentum, with the stock rising an additional 0.74% to $194.38.

This development adds to Alphabet’s mounting regulatory challenges across the globe. According to a previous news story by ThePressNG, Turkey’s competition authority recently fined Google $75 million (2.61 billion lira) for allegedly abusing its dominant position in the digital advertising market.

As the hearing process unfolds, stakeholders will closely monitor developments, particularly how Google defends its practices and negotiates potential resolutions. For Alphabet, maintaining its dominance in search and advertising while addressing regulatory concerns will require a careful balance of compliance and innovation.