South Korea fines Google and Apple for unfair app store practices

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 10:32 · Archive

South Korea fined Google and Apple a combined $47.6 million for abusing their dominance in app store markets.

South Korea's media and telecommunications regulator fined Google 42.9 billion won ($32 million) and Apple 20.8 billion won ($15.5 million) on Wednesday. The Korea Media and Communications Commission said both companies abused their dominance in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and unfairly delaying app reviews, violating a 2021 law that prohibits app store operators from forcing developers to use specific payment systems.

The commission said Google and Apple pushed developers toward their own in-app payment systems while barring payments through external websites. Although the companies technically allowed third-party payment systems within apps, they charged developers a 26 per cent commission and withheld features available through their own systems, effectively forcing developers to use only their in-app payment systems. The commission also found instances where the companies delayed app reviews without clearly explaining reasons for the delays or when reviews would resume. Apple was additionally accused of charging South Korean developers higher commissions than developers elsewhere from 2015 to January 2023.

The regulator ordered both companies to let South Korean developers use external payment links within their apps and improve their app review procedures. Google and Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

How it is being reported

• South Korea fines Google and Apple over unfair app market practicesSouth Korea on Wednesday fined Google and Apple a combined $47.6 million, saying they abused their dominance in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and by unfairly delaying app reviews.News4Jax · 28 Oct, 09:51
• South Korea fines Google and Apple over unfair app market practicesSouth Korea on Wednesday fined Google and Apple a combined $47.6 million, saying they abused their dominance in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and by unfairly delaying app reviews.Clickorlando · 28 Oct, 09:51

In this story: South Korea · Google · Apple · Korea Media and Communications Commission

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