Apple should enable third occasion browsers to operate with out counting on its WebKit engine on iOS, underneath a brand new legislation notified by Japan. The brand new mandate, which comes into impact in December, is the nation’s try to thwart the tech large’s alleged anti-competitive practices. Identical to the EU, browsers like Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Opera will be capable of supply entry to different browser engines, equivalent to Blink and Gecko.

Apple Already Permits A number of Non-WebKit Browsers on iOS within the EU

In accordance with Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act Guidelines (MSCA), ready by the Japan Truthful Commerce Fee (JFTC), Apple’s restrictions that solely enable browsers to make use of the WebKit engine is anti-competitive. This, in keeping with the regulator, makes it unattainable for different browsers like Google Chrome, Opera, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox to implement their very own browser engines.

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, and different browsers obtainable on iOS are at present compelled to make use of the WebKit engine. On different platforms like Android, browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Opera use the Blink engine, whereas Firefox makes use of Gecko.

Nonetheless, this isn’t the primary time that Apple has been compelled to supply browser selections. In 2024, the Cupertino tech large released the iOS 17.4 replace, with which the corporate allowed third-party browser engines to onboard within the EU, because of its Digital Markets Act. Nonetheless, Apple imposed stringent region-based restrictions that deterred the event of Gecko and different browser engines on iOS.

The identical replace launched help for downloading different app shops and set up apps from outdoors the App Retailer in Europe. Android has provided this potential for a number of years, permitting them to obtain and set up APKs.

Apple customers within the EU additionally acquired new default app controls as a part of the iOS 17.4 replace. The tech large has additionally been embroiled in a number of anti-competitive lawsuits within the US, the latest being the lawsuit that was filed in opposition to it by Epic Video games, the developer of Fortnite. The US-based tech large solely allowed in-app funds, on which it charged a hefty fee. This observe was dominated as unfair by a US District Court docket, which directed the corporate to permit app builders to just accept fee from different means.