South Korea fines Google and Apple $47.5 million for violations in app stores

South Korea's media and telecommunications regulator, the Korean Media and Communications Commission, has completed its investigation into two US-based companies for allegedly violating a 2021 law that prohibits forcing app developers to use certain payment systems.

The Commission stated that Google and Apple forced application developers to use their own in-app payment systems, while blocking payments made through external websites.

According to the commission, although the companies technically allowed third-party payment systems within the apps, they charged developers a 26 percent commission and restricted some features offered on their own systems. Thus, it effectively forced developers to use their own in-app payment systems.

The commission also reported that it found cases where companies delayed app review processes and did not clearly explain to developers the reasons for the delays or when the reviews would resume.

Thereupon, the commission fined Google 32 million dollars and Apple 15.5 million dollars. The commission also ordered both companies to allow South Korean developers to use external payment links in their apps and to improve their app review procedures.