South Korea Fines Google and Apple over Unfair App Market Practices
The regulator said the companies pushed developers to their own billing systems and delayed app reviews, leaving little practical choice for alternatives.
- The KMCC fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won on Wednesday for forcing app developers to use their in-app payment systems, marking the first enforcement action since Korea amended its law in 2021.
- Violating the Telecommunications Business Act, both companies imposed a 26 percent commission on third-party payments and imposed unreasonable conditions, effectively forcing developers to use their own payment systems.
- During a plenary session, Chairperson Kim Jong-cheol announced 42.9 billion won in fines for Google and 20.81 billion won for Apple, with both companies also unfairly delaying app reviews without clear justification.
- Both companies must implement corrective measures within three months, including allowing links directing users to external payment websites and revising their commission structures to comply with the orders.
- Google Korea expressed regret that its compliance efforts were not fully reflected in the decision, while some observers raised concerns the ruling could develop into a trade dispute between Korea and the U.S.
58 Articles
58 Articles
South Korea Rules Against Apple Over App Store Payment Rules
South Korea has fined Apple 20.8 billion won ($15.5 million) and ordered it to let developers link to external payment options from their apps, The Associated Press reports. The Korea Media and Communications Commission found that Apple and Google effectively require developers to use their payment systems, violating a 2021 law intended to allow alternatives. Google was fined 42.9 billion won ($32 million). Both companies allowed third-party pay…
South Korea fined Google and Apple a combined $47.6 million for pushing their app payment systems on local developers
The regulator said Google and Apple unfairly pushed developers toward their own payment systems while discouraging third-party payment with fees
South Korea fines Google and Apple over app store payment rules
South Korea has fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won (€42.7m), for steering app developers towards their in-house payment systems and holding up app reviews, adding to a string of penalties the US tech giants face over app store rules, including in the EU.
South Korea on Wednesday fined Alphabet Inc's Google and Apple a total of 63.7 billion won ($47.6 million) for abusing their dominant position in the app store market, accusing the companies of forcing local developers to use their payment systems and unreasonably delaying app reviews.
Seoul's telecommunications regulator says both companies abused their dominant market positions
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