South Korea fines Google and Apple over app payment system restrictions
South Korea's media and telecoms regulator fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won over in-app payment restrictions and ordered corrective measures. Apple said it disagreed; Google, per one report, expressed regret.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2South Korea's Media and Communications Commission fined Google and Apple on Wednesday 28 October 2026 for limiting users and developers to specific app payment systems, and ordered corrective measures. CNAN “has fined Google and Apple for limiting users to specific app payment systems and ordered corrective measures” Read at CNA ↗ The HinduLC “fined Alphabet's Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won” Read at The Hindu ↗ Centre · 3Google was fined 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won, a combined 63.7 billion won; outlets give the dollar value as $45 million (Anadolu) or $47.6 million (AP, carried by The Hindu), depending on the exchange rate used. CNAN “Google was fined 42.9 billion won ($32.35 million) and Apple 20.8 billion won” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “a combined 63.7 billion won ($45 million)” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The HinduLC “a combined 63.7 billion won ($47.6 million)” Read at The Hindu ↗ Mixed · 2The commission said the companies abused their dominant positions in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and by unfairly delaying app reviews, in violation of a 2021 law. The HinduLC “saying they abused their dominance in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and by unfairly delaying app reviews” Read at The Hindu ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “citing violations of the Telecommunications Business Act” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Left · 1According to AP, the companies technically allowed third-party payment systems within apps but charged a 26% commission and withheld some features, which the commission said effectively forced developers onto in-app payments. It also said Apple charged South Korean developers higher commissions than developers elsewhere from 2015 to January 2023. The HinduLC “they charged developers a 26% commission and withheld some features available through their own systems”“charging South Korean developers higher commissions than developers elsewhere from 2015 to January 2023” Read at The Hindu ↗ Mixed · 2Both companies must allow alternative payment methods, including external payment links within apps, and set reasonable fees for third-party payments. Google must revise its third-party payment guidelines, and Apple must drop its requirement that developers submit separate apps to offer alternative payments. Anadolu AgencyN “Google must revise its guidelines for third-party payments, while Apple must remove its requirement for developers to submit separate apps” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ The HinduLC “ordered both companies to let South Korean developers use external payment links within their apps and to improve their app review procedures” Read at The Hindu ↗ Centre · 1Anadolu reported that the companies must submit compliance plans within one month of receiving the orders and implement changes within three months, and that the regulator will not file criminal complaints. It said the regulator first notified the companies of the alleged violations in October 2023, about three years earlier, citing Yonhap. Anadolu AgencyN “must submit compliance plans within one month of receiving the corrective orders and implement the required changes within three months”“will not file criminal complaints against the two companies”“first notified Google and Apple of the alleged violations in October 2023” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1Commission Chairman Kim Jong-cheol said a fair and sustainable app market could be achieved through a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between app market operators and developers. Anadolu AgencyN ““A fair and sustainable app market ecosystem can be achieved through a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between app market operators and developers,” KMCC Chairman Kim Jong-cheol said.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 2Apple said it disagreed with the decision and was evaluating options under South Korean law, saying it has worked with outside developers and that more than 90% of App Store revenue went back to developers last year; it maintained its changes comply with the Telecommunications Business Act. CNAN “Apple said it disagreed with the decision and was evaluating options in accordance with South Korean laws.” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “more than 90% of revenue generated through its App Store ecosystem was returned to developers last year” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 2Google expressed regret, according to Anadolu, arguing the commission overlooked recent policy changes expanding payment options and reducing fees; Reuters and AP copy said Google did not immediately comment. Anadolu AgencyN “Google expressed regret over the decision, arguing that the commission had overlooked recent policy changes” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ CNAN “Google did not immediately have comment when contacted by Reuters.” Read at CNA ↗
Left · 1South Korea became in 2021 the first country to enforce a law barring app market operators from requiring their own in-app payment systems, and has long scrutinised foreign tech firms. The HinduLC “In 2021, it became the first country to enforce a law prohibiting app market operators such as Google and Apple from requiring users to use their own in-app payment systems.” Read at The Hindu ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- AP copy in The Hindu leads with the regulator's finding of abuse of dominance and 'unfair' practices, adding background on the 2021 law and other fines elsewhere.
- Emphasis
- Commission rate of 26%, delayed app reviews, Apple's higher Korean commissions 2015-2023, global context.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Company responses beyond 'did not immediately respond'; compliance deadlines; no criminal complaints.
- Charged language
- “unfair”
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Short Reuters-based CNA brief and a fuller Anadolu report both treat it as a regulatory decision, giving the companies' replies.
- Emphasis
- Fine amounts, corrective orders, deadlines, company disagreement; Anadolu adds the regulator chairman's quote and Google's response.
- Leaves out or plays down
- CNA omits the reasons for the finding and the remedies; Anadolu omits the 26% commission and delayed-review findings.
- Charged language
- “abused their dominant market positions”
- For example
-
“Apple said it disagreed with the decision and was evaluating options” — CNA
“Google expressed regret over the decision” — Anadolu Agency
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The Korea Media and Communications Commission fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won.
- Corrective measures were ordered over in-app payment restrictions.
- Apple disagreed with the decision.
Where accounts differ
-
Dollar value of the combined fine
- Left
- The Hindu (AP) gives $47.6 million combined ($32 million Google, $15.5 million Apple).
- Centre
- Anadolu gives $45 million; CNA (Reuters) gives $32.35 million for Google's fine alone.
-
Whether the fines are final
- Left
- The Hindu says South Korea 'fined' them on Wednesday.
- Centre
- Anadolu says the regulator 'will fine' the companies; CNA says it 'has fined' them.
-
South Korea's commission fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.8 billion won
Reported- Reports 3
- The Hindu, Anadolu Agency, CNA
-
Apple disagrees with the decision and is weighing its options
Reported- Reports 3
- The Hindu, Anadolu Agency, CNA
Apple organisation
Disagrees with the decision, says it works with developers, returned over 90% of App Store revenue to developers and believes its changes comply with the law; reviewing next steps.
“Apple believes that the changes it has implemented to date comply with the Telecommunications Business Act” — Anadolu Agency
Google organisation
Expressed regret and argued the regulator overlooked recent changes expanding payment options and cutting fees.
“arguing that the commission had overlooked recent policy changes designed to expand payment options for developers and reduce commission fees” — Anadolu Agency
South Korea place
Its regulator says the companies abused dominant positions and has ordered changes under a 2021 law.
“spent years investigating the U.S. tech giants for allegedly violating a 2021 law” — The Hindu
Left1 article
-
The HinduLC · · via AP
South Korea fines Google and Apple over ‘unfair’ app market practices
Critical AP copy stressing the regulator's findings of unfair practices with global context.
Centre2 articles
-
CNAN ·
South Korea media commission fines Google and Apple over app payment systems
Neutral Brief wire report of fines and Apple's response.
-
South Korea fines Google, Apple $45M over app store payment policies
Neutral Detailed regulatory account with both companies' rebuttals.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 28 Oct 10:46 First CNAN South Korea media commission fines Google and Apple over app payment systems
- 28 Oct 11:41 +55m The HinduLC South Korea fines Google and Apple over ‘unfair’ app market practices via AP
- 28 Oct 11:46 +59m Anadolu AgencyN South Korea fines Google, Apple $45M over app store payment policies
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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