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

The Korean government on Wednesday slapped Google and Apple with a combined 63.7 billion won ($47.6 million) in fines for practices including forcing app developers to use their in-app payment systems, marking the first enforcement of the relevant provisions since Korea amended its law in 2021 to prohibit such practices. During a plenary session, the Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) imposed fines of 42.9 billion won on Google and 20.81 billion won on Apple, along with corrective orders. The commission said the U.S. tech giants violated the Telecommunications Business Act, which prohibits app market operators from forcing developers to use specific payment methods. Google and Apple allowed only 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, according to the commission. The commission also said the two companies unfairly delayed app reviews by failing to provide specific reasons for delays or clear responses to