South Korea has fined Google and Apple over app payment restrictions, adding to the scrutiny the iPhone maker faces over its App Store policies in other markets, including the European Union.
South Korea’s Media and Communications Commission has fined Google and Apple for limiting users to a specific app payment system and also ordered corrective measures, according to regulators on Wednesday. Google has been fined 42.9 billion won ($32.35 million) and Apple 20.8 billion won, the commission said in a statement.
Apple has clarified that it disagrees with the decision and has been evaluating its options in accordance with South Korean laws. Apple has further added that it has worked with outside developers to enable innovation through its App Store.
Apple has faced such issues with the European Union as well. Back in April, Apple announced that alternative third-party app stores in the European Union would be charged a 5% commission on app purchases, which the iPhone maker said would “resolve” disagreements with regulators stemming from the implementation of Europe’s Digital Markets Act.
Under the new changes, apps purchased through Apple’s App Store using Apple’s payment system would pay a commission of 26% on digital goods and services. Apps that use their own payment processing systems and take credit cards directly will pay Apple 20%. Apps that link out to a website to complete purchases will be charged 15%, and apps distributed through third-party app stores or the web will be charged 5%, dubbed the Core Technology Commission.
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Historically, Apple charged either 30% or 15% on all iPhone in-app purchases and required that all non-enterprise iPhone apps be installed through its App Store. Since Apple has been evaluating its approach following the recent changes, it is possible that the company may also change the way it operates.
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First Published:Oct 28, 2026, 17:32:29 IST
