South Korea fines Google and Apple over ‘unfair’ app market practices
South Korean regulators have fined Google and Apple approximately $47.6 million for forcing local app developers to use their proprietary payment systems. The companies were also ordered to improve their app review processes and allow external payment links.
Why it matters
Represents a significant global regulatory pushback against the monopolistic practices of major tech platforms in the app economy.
Seoul South Korea on Wednesday (October 28, 2026) fined Alphabet's Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won ($47.6 million), saying they abused their dominance in app store markets by forcing local developers onto their own payment systems and by unfairly delaying app reviews. South Korea considers $50.5 million fine against Google, Apple over app market practices storyline 1 The Korea Media and Communications Commission, the country's media and telecommunications regulator, spent years investigating the U.S. tech giants for allegedly violating a 2021 law that prohibits app store operators from forcing developers to use specific payment systems.
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