Japan Law Will Require Apple to Allow Non-WebKit Browsers on iPhone

Japan's Mobile Software Competition Act volition necessitate Apple to let non-WebKit web browsers successful the App Store connected the iPhone aboriginal this year.


Specifically, the instrumentality "forbids designated providers from preventing idiosyncratic app providers from utilizing alternate browser engines."

In astir countries, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and different fashionable web browsers connected iOS are each presently forced to usage WebKit, which is the web motor that powers Safari. Apple has antecedently stated that the WebKit request is owed to information and privateness considerations, but critics person argued that the argumentation is anticompetitive.

Japan's instrumentality volition let web browsers and in-app browsers connected the iPhone to usage alternate browser engines similar Blink (used by Chrome, Edge, and Opera) and Gecko (used by Firefox). The regularisation takes afloat effect successful December.

Apple has already allowed non-WebKit browsers connected the iPhone and iPad successful the EU since iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 18, to comply with the Digital Markets Act. However, Apple has a long database of requirements for alternate browsers connected the iPhone and iPad, and determination are still nary large non-WebKit browsers disposable successful the App Store connected those platforms.

As noted by the not-for-profit Open Web Advocacy group connected Wednesday, Japan's instrumentality goes a measurement further to guarantee that determination is simply a viable way for non-WebKit browsers, by preventing Apple from imposing "unreasonable method restrictions" connected web browsers that privation to instrumentality alternate browser engines connected the iPhone.

Japan's instrumentality volition besides necessitate Apple to amusement a default browser enactment surface successful Safari connected the iPhone, and the requirements for that are likewise strict.

Alongside the EU and Japan, it is expected that the UK volition besides necessitate Apple to let non-WebKit browsers connected the iPhone successful the foreseeable future.
This article, "Japan Law Will Require Apple to Allow Non-WebKit Browsers connected iPhone" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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