Google Fined $32 Million by South Korea Antitrust Regulator for Blocking Mobile Games on Competing Platform

Google said it will review the final decision by the KFTC to evaluate the next course of action.

By Reuters | Updated: 12 April 2023 13:32 IST

Google Fined $32 Million by South Korea Antitrust Regulator for Blocking Mobile Games on Competing Platform

Photo Credit: Reuters

In 2021, Google was fined more than 200 billion won by the KFTC

Highlights

Game makers affected by Google's action include Netmarble, Nexon and NCSO
KFTC said that Google hurt local app market One Store's revenue
Google said it will review the final decision by the KFTC

South Korea's antitrust regulator has fined Alphabet's Google KRW 42.1 billion ($31.88 million, roughly Rs. 262 crore) for blocking the release of mobile video games on a competitor's platform.

The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said on Tuesday that Google bolstered its market dominance, and hurt the local app market One Store's revenue and value as a platform, by requiring video game makers to exclusively release their titles on Google Play in exchange for providing in-app exposure between June 2016 and April 2018.

Google said it will review the final decision by the KFTC to evaluate the next course of action.

Google Find My Device Feature May Get This Update Soon

"Google makes substantial investments in the success of developers, and we respectfully disagree with the KFTC's conclusions", a spokesperson said.

The KFTC said the move against the US technology giant is part of efforts by the government to ensure fair markets.

Game makers affected by Google's action include Netmarble, Nexon, and NCSOFT, as well as other smaller companies, the antitrust regulator added.

OnePlus Pad Could Be Available at This Price in India: Check Here

In 2021, Google was fined more than 200 billion won by the KFTC for blocking customised versions of its Android operating system.

Earlier this month, top startups in India called on the country's competition watchdog to launch an inquiry into Google for allegedly bypassing an antitrust directive by charging a high service fee for in-app payments, a filing showed.

The Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) filing marked the latest tussle between Google and Indian startups, which have repeatedly criticized the US company for imposing unfair business restrictions that hurt smaller players.

WhatsApp for Android May Soon Allow Users to Edit Contacts Within the App

"Google's policy change of charging service fee even on transactions processed by third-party payment processors ... has detrimental consequences for users and app developers," the 15-page confidential March complaint by ADIF said.

Google, which declined to comment, has previously said the service fee supports investments in the Google Play app store and the Android mobile operating system, ensuring it distributes it for free and covers developer tools and analytic services.

Smartphone companies have launched many compelling devices over the first quarter of 2023. What are some of the best phones launched in 2023 you can buy today? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.