South Korea's media regulator has fined Google and Apple 63.7 billion won, about $45 million, over app store payment rules that it said restricted developers' options.
The Korea Media and Communications Commission said it approved penalties under the Telecommunications Business Act totaling 42.9 billion won for Google and 20.81 billion won for Apple. Together, the fines amount to 63.7 billion won, or about $45 million; some reports give the figure as 63.71 billion won.
Google and Apple misused their market dominance, requiring app developers to use designated payment methods and setting unfavorable terms for third-party options. Although the companies let developers offer outside payment services in apps, they charged a 26% commission and limited some features. The KMCC said these terms steered developers towards the companies' own payment systems. Bans on links to external payment options further narrowed developers' choices.
The commission directed Google and Apple to let developers provide other ways to pay, including links to outside payment services in their apps, and to set fair charges for those services. It also required Google to change its user experience guidelines for third-party payments. Apple must drop its rule requiring developers to file separate apps to provide alternative payment options.
The two companies have one month to file compliance plans and three months to make the required changes after receiving the corrective orders.
The commission also requires the companies to strengthen app reviews. Some reviews had been held up without clear reasons or an indication of when they would resume.
From 2015 through January 2023, Apple applied higher commissions to South Korean developers than to developers abroad, the KMCC found. For local developers, it based the 30% commission on prices that included tax. For overseas developers, it applied the same rate to prices before tax. The arrangement brought Apple an estimated 149.6 billion won in extra commissions, the KMCC said.
The regulator added 20% to the fines for requiring developers to use the companies' payment systems, because they didn't change their conduct despite being aware of the investigation. Apple, however, received a 20% penalty reduction for discriminatory commissions after it changed its policy voluntarily. The KMCC deemed the conduct a "very serious violation", pointing to harm to competition and widespread effects on developers and consumers.
Google and Apple were ordered by the KMCC to end the violations, revise their business practices, publish the corrective orders, and submit compliance plans and reports. It will issue corrective orders but won't file criminal complaints against the two US companies.
A fair and sustainable app market ecosystem can be achieved through a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship between app market operators and developers
I hope these measures will mark a turning point, bringing meaningful changes to the market that app developers and end users can actually feel
We will continue to enforce the law fairly, without discriminating between domestic and foreign companies
Google said it regretted the decision, arguing that the commission had overlooked recent changes meant to give developers more payment choices and reduce commission fees. Apple told The Associated Press it disagreed with the ruling, was weighing its legal options, and maintained that its policies follow South Korean law and its payment system helps guard customers against fraud.
South Korea's regulator first alerted Google and Apple to the alleged violations in October 2023, about three years before the decision. That month, the Korea Communications Commission, predecessor to the KMCC, put forward proposed fines totalling 68 billion won. Administrative disruptions and organisational changes repeatedly delayed a final ruling. The KMCC investigation opened in August 2022.
Kim Jong-cheol, chair of the KMCC, said the regulator was accountable for the extended delay and the time it had taken, whatever the circumstances.
Under the EU's Digital Markets Act, so-called gatekeepers can't prevent developers from guiding customers to lower-priced offers. In April 2025, the European Commission used the DMA to fine Apple €500 million for restricting that practice on its app store; Apple has appealed. Apple said it had worked closely with the Commission before announcing revised EU terms in August this year, effective 1 October. Under the new terms, Apple's standard in-app purchase commission falls from 30% to 26%, while developers who direct users elsewhere to complete a purchase pay 15%.
Brussels imposed a €890 million fine on Google in July, of which €430 million concerned restrictions on Google Play developers directing users to lower-cost purchase options. Google has altered some Google Play fees and terms since then. The Commission is reviewing those changes, and Google has appealed the fines.
The South Korean penalty comes after the UK rejected Apple's challenge to a $2 billion App Store fine. Apple has encountered comparable App Store disputes in the Netherlands, France, Russia, and elsewhere.
Apple's filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in August 2026 discussed how international rulings could affect its earnings. It said Apple could receive less commission when third-party developers distribute apps or take payments through other methods, and in some cases receive none. Other reports at the time said Apple's US App Store commission revenue fell 18% between January and August 2026. App Store sales also dropped, by 6% year over year in the second quarter.
| Regulator | Company | Fine | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| KMCC (South Korea) | 42.9 billion won | 28 October 2026 | |
| KMCC (South Korea) | Apple | 20.81 billion won | 28 October 2026 |
| European Commission | Apple | €500 million | April 2025 |
| European Commission | €890 million | July |
The KMCC said it would monitor the companies' compliance and issue written decisions in November. It will assess Google's March announcement of changes to its payment policies, including options for purchases on external websites and lower developer fees.
What we know
- The KMCC fined Google 42.9 billion won and Apple 20.81 billion won.
- The KMCC will issue written decisions in November.
- Google expressed regret and Apple said it disagrees.
Still unclear
- Whether Google and Apple will appeal the South Korean fines.
- The exact date in November when the KMCC will issue written decisions.
- The outcome of the KMCC's examination of Google's revised payment policies announced in March.
- The outcome of the European Commission's assessment of Google's changed fees and terms on Google Play.
