South Korea Rules Against Apple Over App Store Payment Rules

South Korea has fined Apple 20.8 billion won ($15.5 million) and ordered it to let developers link to external payment options from their apps, The Associated Press reports.

The Korea Media and Communications Commission found that Apple and Google effectively require developers to use their payment systems, violating a 2021 law intended to allow alternatives. Google was fined 42.9 billion won ($32 million).

Both companies allowed third-party payment services within apps, but charged developers a 26% commission and restricted some features. The regulator said these conditions pushed developers toward Apple and Google's payment systems, while rules against external payment links limited their other options.

The companies must also improve their app review processes. The commission found that some reviews were delayed without clear explanations or information about when they would resume. It separately found that Apple charged South Korean developers higher commissions than overseas developers between 2015 and January 2023.

Apple told The Associated Press that it disagrees with the ruling and is considering its legal options. The company says its policies comply with South Korean law and that its payment system helps protect customers against fraud.

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