South Korea has fined Google and Apple a combined 47.6 million U-S dollars
for abusing their dominance in app stores by restricting developers' payment
options and unfairly delaying app reviews.

The country's media and telecommunications regulator fined Google 32 million
U-S dollars and Apple 15.5 million dollars after an investigation into
possible violations of a 2021 law designed to prevent app stores from forcing
developers to use their own payment systems.

The regulator says both companies imposed fees and restrictions that made
alternative payment methods less attractive, while also delaying app reviews
without clearly explaining the reasons.

It has ordered Google and Apple to allow South Korean developers to link to
external payment options within their apps and improve their review
procedures.

South Korea was the first country to introduce a law prohibiting app store
operators from requiring developers to use their own in-app payment systems.