TOKYO (Kyodo) — Apple Inc. filed a protest on Tuesday after the release of a Japanese government report that indicated the possibility of introducing regulations to ensure fair competition in the smartphone operating system market, which was dominated by two large American technology companies. .

The U.S. tech giant said in a statement, “We respectfully disagree with a number of findings” in the government report released the same day, which expressed concern about the heavy influence of Apple and Google LLC. of Alphabet Inc. in the operating system market.

Apple added that it faces “intense competition in all segments” in which it operates, adding that it will continue to “engage constructively with the Japanese government.”

Meanwhile, Google said in a separate statement that it is actively cooperating with the government, stressing how much it has contributed to the industry, and added that it will further examine the contents of the report.

In the interim report released following discussions on competition in the digital market, the government sees Google and Apple’s Internet browsing apps pre-installed in smartphones as a problem.

The report proposed the introduction of rules prohibiting acts that prevent users from making decisions and choices, as such a practice could eliminate any margin of competition.

The government also expressed concern that app developers are paying high fees to Apple because they can only distribute their products through the company’s store and called for allowing system providers to operation to allow users to select the app store of their choice.

“In order to achieve fair and equitable competition, we have arranged various issues and options,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at the meeting.

The government will seek public input and hold further discussions before drafting a final report.