South Korea fines Google and Apple over app payments

South Korea’s Korea Media and Communications Commission has fined Google and Apple a combined 63.7 billion won and ordered changes to their app payment practices, finding that the companies restricted developers’ payment options and delayed app reviews. The commission also directed both companies to let developers link to external payment websites from within apps. The commission set Google’s fine at 42.9 billion won and Apple’s at 20.81 billion won. It ordered the companies to revise their payment practices and implement corrective measures within three months of receiving the orders. They must also allow external payment links, according to the commission’s decision. The regulator said the companies effectively pushed developers toward their own in-app payment systems by charging a 26 percent commission on third-party payments and imposing conditions on those options. It said the companies also delayed app reviews without clearly explaining the reasons or providing timelines for resumption. The commission further accused Apple of charging South Korean developers higher commissions than developers elsewhere from 2015 through January 2023. It ordered Google to revise its...