Japan’s antitrust watchdog has demanded that Google fix its advertising search restrictions affecting Yahoo in Japan, stating that Google’s practices are undermining fair competition in the advertising market. The alleged questionable practices by Google have been ongoing for over seven years, dating back to about a decade ago. Google has not yet responded to the request for comment, while Yahoo, which recently merged with Line, declined to provide a comment. The commission will be reviewing Google’s practices over the next three years to ensure necessary changes are implemented, with no immediate fine or penalties imposed on the tech giant.
This move by the Japan Fair Trade Commission follows another setback for Google in Japan, where last week, a civil lawsuit was filed by Japanese doctors against the company. The lawsuit demands damages for what the doctors claim are groundless derogatory and false comments posted on Google Maps. The suit is seeking 1.4 million yen ($9,400) in damages for 63 medical professionals affected by the reviews. In response, Google stated that it is working around the clock to reduce misleading or false information on its platform, using a combination of human and technological resources to delete fraudulent reviews.
Google, a popular search engine in Japan, has faced challenges in the country due to its alleged anti-competitive practices and the spread of false information. The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s decision to require Google to make changes to its advertising search restrictions comes as part of ongoing efforts to maintain fair competition in the market. Google’s dominance in the search engine industry has made it a target for regulatory scrutiny in various countries, with Japan being the latest to take action against the tech giant for its practices affecting competitors like Yahoo.
Despite the Japan Fair Trade Commission’s decision to review Google’s practices over the next three years, there are currently no immediate fines or penalties imposed on the company. Google’s response to the civil lawsuit filed by Japanese doctors highlights the importance of addressing false information and fraudulent reviews on its platform. By combining human and technological resources to combat this issue, Google aims to maintain the credibility and reliability of its services, particularly in the face of legal challenges and regulatory scrutiny in markets like Japan.
The merger between Yahoo and Line, a Japanese social media platform, has brought additional attention to the alleged anti-competitive practices by Google in the advertising market. The impact of Google’s actions on competitors and consumers in Japan remains a key concern for regulators, who are working to ensure a level playing field for all players in the market. As technology companies continue to face regulatory challenges in various jurisdictions, the outcome of the Japan Fair Trade Commission’s review of Google’s practices will be closely watched to see how it impacts competition and consumer choice in the country’s digital advertising industry.
