Korea fines Google, Apple combined $47.6 mil. over in-app payment practices

The Korean government has imposed a combined fine of $47.6 million on tech giants Google and Apple for their alleged in-app payment practices. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.81 billion won for violating the Telecommunications Business Act, which prohibits app market operators from forcing developers to use specific payment methods.

The commission found that Google and Apple only allowed their own in-app payment systems and third-party payment options, but imposed a 26 percent commission and unreasonable conditions on third-party payments, effectively forcing developers to use their own systems. The commission also noted that the companies delayed app reviews by failing to provide specific reasons for delays or clear responses.

This marks the first enforcement of the relevant provisions since Korea amended its law in 2021 to prohibit such practices.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.