South Korea fines Google and Apple over app payment restrictions
The companies must allow links to external payment options and change app reviews, following similar enforcement action in the EU.
Google and Apple were ordered to pay fines totalling 63.7 billion won (€42.7 million) in South Korea on 28 October 2026 over restrictions on developers’ payment options and delays in reviewing apps. The Korea Media and Communications Commission (KMCC) imposed penalties of 42.9 billion won (€28.7 million) on Google and 20.8 billion won (€13.9 million) on Apple.
The regulator said its investigation, opened in August 2022, found breaches of a 2021 law barring app store operators from requiring developers to use a particular payment system. Although both companies permitted alternatives within apps, the KMCC said a 26 per cent commission and limits on available features left developers little practical choice. Their own payment systems carried a 30 per cent commission, while payments via external websites were prohibited.
The KMCC also said app reviews had been delayed without adequate explanations or information on when they would resume. It found that Apple charged South Korean developers more than developers elsewhere between 2015 and January 2023 by including value-added tax when calculating commissions.
Both companies have one month to present compliance plans and three months to implement changes, including allowing links to external payment methods and improving app reviews. Neither had publicly responded to the decision.
The decision follows related EU cases under the Digital Markets Act. The European Commission fined Apple €500 million in April 2025 for preventing developers from directing users to other offers. Google received €890 million in fines in July, including €430 million over restrictions on directing Google Play users to cheaper purchases. Both companies have appealed. The Commission is still examining changes Google subsequently made to its fees and terms.
