Japan Orders Google to Stop Forcing Search and Browser on Android Phones

Firefox all the way, supports many important extensions like ublock origin.

Firefox is going downhill, too, unfortunately. They are still better than Google, but I don't know for how long :(

Nice. I think now since like 2003 IE, is the most interested people may be in using something besides the current most popular option

Good news. Hopefully it comes to the USA too.

Are they doing the same for iPhone?

It's not forced, though? I have never had an issue opening Google Play and installing Firefox (and then uBlock Origin). If users are too stupid/lazy to change defaults that's on them. Hell, it couod be worse - it could be like Microsoft where they shove Edge and "news & interests" which are chock full of editorialized ragebait headlines, each one that includes it's own special comments injection that all just help trick stupid people into voting right-wing.

If users are too stupid/lazy to change defaults that’s on them.
Nothing of what's written about in the article is "on the user".
Japan’s antitrust watchdog has ordered Google to stop pressuring smartphone makers to promote its apps like Google Search and Chrome. (...) The recent order issued on Tuesday follows an investigation that began in October 2023. The JFTC found that Google required at least six Android phone makers to preinstall its search engine and Chrome browser, and show them on the home screen. These conditions were tied to licensing the Google Play Store, which is essential for selling Android phones in Japan. According to Nikkei Asia, around 80% of Android phones sold in Japan were affected.
Japan also said Google offered ad revenue-sharing deals to some manufacturers and telecom operators. In return, these companies agreed not to preinstall rival apps or search services. This, the watchdog said, reduced competition and limited user choice.
- I still don't see the big deal, takes seconds to drag them into the bin and move on. There are far bigger problems that they should be going after - irreplaceable batteries, locked bootloader, lack of root access on a device you own would be three of the biggest ones.
- I would certainly argue that there is a problem with non-critical apps being labeled as "system apps" and being undeleteable. This was only made worse by dropping SD support.
  That said, I am still mostly able to use my pocket computer as a pocket computer, which is far more than I can say about the state of iOS, and just whining about Chrome and Google being packed in is such a non-issue when they are replaceable.
  I would much rather see a fight that pushes to force unlocked bootloaders, the ability to delete any apps, a way to get end users root access, etc. There's no reason why a phone shouldn't be seen the same as a computer.
You actually can't force feed people. It's very simple to throw up and eat something else.