Korean media regulator to expand probe on app stores for unfair fee practices

Korea Communications Commission is probing possible illegalities upon discovering unfair in-app charging by dominant app stores – Apple, Google as well as homegrown platform One Store.

Apple App Store has been accused of overcharging Korean game publishers, web comics and other app developers by Korea Mobile Game Association, which filed a complaint with the antitrust watchdog.

If the media regulator also finds fault, the global tech giant could face a separate penalty for violating the Telecommunications Business Act, which prohibits discrimination in fees.

The media regulation agency has been looking into Apple App Store along with other major app marketplace operators Google Play and SK Square¡¯s One Store since May for possible violation of the local telecom business law, which was revised last year to prevent app marketplaces from forcing app developers to use a specific payment method.

KCC has suspected misdeeds by all three marketplaces after an initial study and raised its investigation level to fact-finding, which is attached with the legal binding force for companies under target to comply with the investigation process.

The agency is paying special attention to Apple and Google over the suspicion that the two global tech giants are intentionally delaying app reviews of developers who do not follow their fee policy and charging them more fees than others.

[¨Ï Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]