Apple and Google detailed changes to app distribution and payment processing policies being made in Japan to comply with regulations forged to increase competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mobile Software Competition Act came into force today (18 December), targeting the provision of choices in browser, smartphone app distribution and related areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Apple\u2019s statement, it explained new options had been created for developers to distribute apps on alternative marketplaces and process payments outside of its own in-app purchasing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The smartphone vendor\u2019s argument against apps being downloaded from outside of its own store frequently centres on safety and security fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this case, it claimed the new requirements in Japan for \u201calternative app marketplaces and app payments open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, and privacy and security risks\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, it noted its work with regulators to introduce protections including an authorisation process for app marketplaces to ensure iOS is the \u201cmost secure mobile platform available in Japan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For in-app payments, Apple stated it is sharing tools to open the way for developers to offer alternatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company also updated its business terms related to iOS apps in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Google moves It is also providing the means for developers to add an option for users to make purchases with either Google Play Billing or the developer\u2019s website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Along with noting changes making it easier to switch search engine or browser, Google stated it already complied with many other parts of Japan\u2019s newly-enforced regulations, including the ability to install third-party app stores on Android devices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Apple and Google detailed changes to app distribution and payment processing policies being made in Japan to comply with regulations forged to increase competition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20213,"featured_media":300149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2025-12-18T12:48:53Z","apple_news_api_id":"2a19c344-250a-411e-b09a-58458c8e07b5","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2025-12-18T12:48:53Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAD\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/w==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AKhnDRCUKQR6wmlhFjI4HtQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14886860,14886920],"tags":[],"site-option":[],"event-cat":[],"class_list":["post-491911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asia-pacific","category-devices"],"acf":[],"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n
<\/strong>In an update on its rules in Japan, Google noted it is extending a policy already in place for alternative billing systems in non-gaming apps to cover any which offer digital content purchases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n