TOKYO: Japan’s competition watchdog issued a cease and desist order to Alphabet’s Google on Tuesday for anticompetitive practices in the first such action against a U.S. tech giant.

Google made smartphone makers prioritise its services, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) said. The search giant must appoint a third party to monitor and report back to the watchdog.

Google expressed disappointment at the order and said it would work with the JFTC to ensure Android remains a competitive choice.

Reuters