SEOUL, October 29, 2026 – Cracking down on monopolistic behaviour in the digital marketplace, South Korea’s media and telecommunications regulator announced on Wednesday that it has fined Alphabet’s Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won ($47.6 million) for abusing their dominant positions in app store markets.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission levied the penalties following years of intensive investigation into the two US technology giants for violating the country’s landmark 2021 telecommunications law, which famously made South Korea the first nation in the world to prohibit app store operators from forcing developers to use proprietary in-app payment systems.
Under the ruling, Google has been penalized with a fine of 42.9 billion won ($32 million), while Apple faces a penalty of 20.8 billion won ($15.5 million). Furthermore, the regulatory commission has ordered both corporations to immediately allow South Korean app developers to integrate external payment links within their applications and to streamline and transparently manage their app review procedures.
Key Violations Highlighted by Regulators
According to the regulatory commission, both Google and Apple systematically steered local developers toward their proprietary in-app payment systems while restricting smoother transactions through external websites.
Although the tech giants technically permitted third-party payment systems within apps following previous regulatory pressures, they levied a hefty 26 percent commission and withheld essential software features from developers who opted against using the native systems. This effectively left developers with no commercially viable alternative to in-app billing.
Additionally, the commission flagged persistent administrative delays in app reviews, noting that the companies frequently postponed application approvals without providing clear explanations or realistic timelines to developers. The regulator also specifically accused Apple of discriminatory pricing, citing that the company charged South Korean developers higher commission rates than their global counterparts from 2015 through January 2023.
A Global Benchmark for Tech Regulation
South Korea continues to lead global efforts in reining in Big Tech monopolies. By enacting ground-breaking legislation in 2021 and strictly enforcing compliance, Seoul has established a strong precedent for antitrust regulators worldwide who are currently scrutinizing app store commissions and developer restrictions.
Published by True Roots Media Network