Japan is taking a stand against Apple’s “unreasonable technical restrictions,” potentially paving the way for the first iPhone browsers built on third-party engines.
Apple’s compliance with EU regulations has so far blocked browsers like Chrome, which relies on the Blink engine, from being available on iOS. However, newly published guidelines under Japan’s Smartphone Act could change this landscape. These guidelines not only impose a December deadline for lifting restrictions but also prohibit Apple from enforcing alternative rules that would complicate the adoption of browsers other than its own WebKit engine.
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According to a translation from the Open Web Advocacy organization, the guidelines specifically prevent Apple from:
- Imposing unreasonable technical restrictions on app developers wishing to use alternative browser engines.
- Placing excessive financial burdens on developers adopting these alternatives.
- Steering smartphone users away from software that incorporates alternative browser engines.
SOURCE: THE VERGE
