TOKYO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- The Japan Fair Trade Commission on Tuesday issued a cease and desist order to Google LLC to stop unfairly pressuring smartphone makers to preinstall its search app in violation of the antitrust law.

In issuing its first such order against a major tech company, the antitrust watchdog determined that Google, which holds a dominant share of the online search market, had unfairly hindered competition by asking for preferential treatment to Google's search service and browser.

The commission found that, as far back as July 2020, Google has required at least six Android phone manufacturers to preinstall Google apps, including the Chrome browser, and place them in designated positions on the home screen when the makers signed the license agreement for Google's app store, covering around 80 percent of Android devices sold in Japan.

Additionally, the U.S. search giant has signed contracts with four manufacturers and one telecommunication operator to share part of its advertising revenue, on the condition that Google services are placed on the initial screen and rival companies' services are not preinstalled.

The commission concluded that Google's two types of contracts have prevented new entrants and transactions with competitors.

The U.S. company has been ordered by the watchdog to involve lawyers and third parties to monitor reforms to its practices, with reports on its compliance with the order to be delivered periodically for five years. Enditem

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