Japan's New Law Challenges Apple's iOS Browser Monopoly

Japan's newly enacted Smartphone Act prohibits Apple's long-standing ban on third-party browser engines on iOS, mandating that Apple allow browsers like Firefox and Chrome to use their own engines instead of forcing them to use WebKit. This legislation aims to foster browser competition on iOS and ensure web apps have access to the APIs and performance needed to compete with native apps. The act also requires fair access to functionally equivalent OS APIs and a choice screen for browsers promptly after first activation. While the act is expected to take effect by December 2025, enforcement is likely to be a lengthy and complex process.