Japan’s new law forces Google and Apple to allow sale of third-party apps

Japan passed a new law aimed at prohibiting Apple and Google from blocking the sale of apps by third-party developers on their respective app platforms (such as the App Store and Google Play Store), thereby providing users with greater options and potentially increasing competition, according to a report by Japanese news agency Kyodo News.

The law prohibits Apple and Google from restricting third-party companies from selling and operating apps on their platforms beyond their own app stores. Moreover, it mandates these platform providers to permit app developers to use their preferred payment platforms for user charges, rather than compelling them to opt for the native option.