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Japan's Anti-Monopoly Body Orders Google to Address Ad Search Limits Impacting Yahoo
Japan's anti-monopoly body orders Google to fix ad search limits affecting Yahoo. Google had imposed restrictions in its search advertising agreement with Yahoo Japan for over seven years. Google will be monitored for the next three years to ensure necessary changes are made.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission has issued an order to Google, the U.S. search giant, to rectify its advertising search restrictions that are negatively affecting Yahoo in Japan. The commission's recent investigation revealed that Google's practices were undermining fair competition in the advertising market.
Yahoo Japan Corp., which merged with the Japanese social media platform Line, had been utilising Google's technology for keyword-targeted search advertising services since their partnership in 2010. However, the commission alleges that Google had imposed restrictions in its search advertising agreement with Yahoo Japan, hindering its ability to compete in targeted search ads for over seven years.
As a result of the investigation into potential violations of the Anti-Monopoly Law, Google has decided to remove these restrictions. In an emailed statement, Google emphasised its full cooperation with the commission's probe and highlighted that the commission did not find any outright violations of anti-monopoly laws. The company has committed to implementing the commission's directives to provide "valuable" search functions to Japanese users and advertisers.
Yahoo declined to comment on the matter, while Google will be closely monitored for the next three years to ensure the necessary changes are implemented. The commission did not impose any fines or penalties on Google, as the search engine remains popular among Japanese users.
This development comes on the heels of another setback for Google in Japan. Last week, a group of Japanese doctors filed a civil lawsuit against the company, seeking damages for what they claim are baseless derogatory and often false comments. The lawsuit, filed in the Tokyo District Court, demands 1.4 million yen ($9,400) in damages for 63 medical professionals, citing reviews posted on Google Maps.
In response to the lawsuit, Google stated that it is working tirelessly to combat misleading or false information on its platform. The company is employing a combination of human and technological resources to swiftly remove fraudulent reviews and ensure the accuracy of information available to users.
Japan's anti-monopoly body orders Google to fix ad search limits affecting Yahoo
Google had imposed restrictions in its search advertising agreement with Yahoo Japan for over seven years
Google will be monitored for the next three years to ensure necessary changes are made
Source: AP NEWS