South Korea fines Google and Apple 63.7 billion won over app payments

South Korea's Media and Communications Commission imposed fines on Google and Apple totalling 63.7 billion South Korean won (approximately US$47.6 million) over payment practices in mobile app stores. The decision was announced on 28 October 2026 and included orders for corrective action, Reuters and the Associated Press reported.

How are the fines divided?

Google was fined 42.9 billion won, while Apple was fined 20.8 billion won. According to the regulator, the practices restricted developers' and users' choice of payment systems within apps.

South Korea's 2021 legislation prohibits app-store operators from requiring a particular payment method as the only option. The regulator also examined issues related to app-review procedures.

What happens next for companies and developers?

The regulator ordered changes that would allow developers to offer external payment links inside apps, along with improvements to app-review procedures. This is a regulatory decision; it does not mean that all apps have already changed their payment arrangements.

Apple said it disagreed with the decision and was considering its options under South Korean law. Google had not immediately commented to Reuters when the original report was published.

The case forms part of a wider international debate over competition and fees in mobile app stores. Further developments will depend on subsequent actions by the companies and the regulator.

Sources: Reuters / CNA, 28 October 2026; Associated Press / ABC News, 28 October 2026.

Photo: CardMapr.nl / Unsplash, illustrative. It does not show the regulator's decision.