Apple Forced to Open Up iPhone in Japan: EU’s Influence Spreads!

Following the European Union and its Digital Markets Act (DMA), Japan has now taken steps to require Apple to open up certain software aspects of the iPhone through its Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA). In a press release, Apple announced several changes to iOS apps in Japan with the release of iOS 26.2 last week.

Key measures introduced include allowing developers to offer their applications on third-party stores, the use of alternative payment systems to Apple’s own, an option to display a browser choice screen, and the ability to use the iPhone’s side button to activate a digital assistant other than Siri. This last measure could potentially be implemented in Europe in the future.

Similar to the European regulations from which the MSCA takes inspiration, Apple has updated its business terms to continue collecting a commission on external transactions. Not surprisingly, since these measures closely resemble those of the DMA, the company also believes they “introduce new risks concerning malware, fraud attempts, and scams, as well as privacy and security issues.”