Korea regulator fines Google and Apple 63.7 billion won over in-app payment practices
Published · Updated
What happened
The Korea regulator announced fines of 42.9 billion won for Google and 20.8 billion won for Apple after finding abuse of market dominance in app distribution and billing practices. The order requires changes to app-store rules on external payment links and app review handling.
Why it matters
The action imposes direct costs on two global platform operators and tests South Korea's enforcement of app-store competition rules beyond earlier legislation. It can alter payment flows, developer margins, and compliance expectations for digital platforms operating in Korea.
South Korea's media and telecommunications regulator imposed fines totaling 63.7 billion won on Google and Apple for app-market conduct tied to in-app payments and app review procedures. The regulator said both companies limited developers' use of external payment options by blocking links, charging a 26% commission on third-party payments, and delaying app reviews without clear explanations. It also ordered both companies to permit external payment links in apps and improve review processes.
Watch for
Google Korea acknowledgement on or after 2026-10-29 of compliance steps or appeal filing against the KCC sanction Apple Korea acknowledgement on or after 2026-10-29 of App Store policy changes for external payment links in South Korea Korea Communications Commission publication on or after 2026-10-29 of the corrective order text and implementation timetable Korea Internet Corporations Association or major Korean game/app publishers disclosure on or after 2026-10-29 of revised billing terms or restored external-link functionality
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