Korean Startups Call for Investigation into Apple and Google In-App Purchases

Multiple startup companies in Korea are calling for an investigation into Apple and Google's in-app purchase practices, reports The Korea Herald.

20200819000582 0

An alliance of app developers and small companies submitted a petition to the Korea Communications Commission earlier today, asking for an investigation into whether Apple and Google may be violating Korean laws on in-app purchases and anti-competitive behavior.

They explain that Apple has been forcing developers to use their specific in-app purchase system since 2011, through which Apple takes a 30 percent commission. Google demands game apps in Korea use its own in-app purchase module and adds an additional game-only commission.

"While the 30 percent commission rate is too high in itself, it is more problematic that they force a specific payment system for the app markets," said Choi Sung-jin, President of the Korea Startup Forum.

Sung-jin added that while large developers may be able to negotiate lower rates of commission with platform providers, it is out of reach to smaller developers and startups who cannot afford to do so. Moreover, they fear that setting about a negotiation could eventually lead to a hike in in-app purchase commissions.

Apple and Google made up 87.8 percent of the Korean app market in 2019, and the issue is effectively an antitrust dispute. The Korean offices of Apple and Google did not provide a comment.

Tech companies are coming under fire in antitrust complaints around the world, with investigations underway in the U.S., the EU, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Russia. Companies such as Microsoft, Spotify, Airbnb, and Epic Games have also joined calls for greater control over app store terms and rates of commission.

Popular Stories

apple tv 4k new orange

New Apple TV Expected Later This Year With These New Features

Saturday July 12, 2025 3:09 pm PDT by
A new Apple TV is expected to be released later this year, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the next Apple TV, according to rumors. Rumors Faster Wi-Fi Support The next Apple TV will be equipped with Apple's own combined Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He said the chip supports ...
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Sunday July 13, 2025 10:30 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 16 New Features

Friday July 11, 2025 12:40 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are only two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:A redesigned Dynamic Island: It has been rumored that all iPhone 17 models will have a redesigned Dynamic Island interface — it might ...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iOS 26 on Three iPhones

Here's When to Expect the iOS 26 Public Beta

Tuesday July 15, 2025 11:07 am PDT by
Apple previously announced that a public beta of iOS 26 would be available in July, and now a more specific timeframe has surfaced. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today said that Apple's public betas should be released on or around Wednesday, July 23. In other words, expect the public betas of iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and more to be available at some point next week. Apple will be releasing...
Apple Hornsby

Apple Store Near Sydney Permanently Closing Later This Year

Monday July 14, 2025 6:14 pm PDT by
Apple today said its store at the Westfield Hornsby shopping mall, in Hornsby, Australia, will be permanently closing in October. Apple Hornsby In a statement shared with Australian tech news website EFTM (via Reddit), Apple said that it has decided not to renew its lease at Westfield Hornsby. Apple said all affected retail employees will be given the opportunity to work at Apple's nearby...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 May See 'Significant' Dynamic Island Changes

Monday July 14, 2025 12:11 am PDT by
The iPhone's Dynamic Island experience is set to undergo "significant evolution" over the next few years, according to a new rumor. Earlier this month, a report suggested that the iPhone 17 lineup will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, but little else was explained about the software changes. Now, the leaker known as "Majin Bu" appears to have corroborated this, commenting ...

Top Rated Comments

Anaxarxes Avatar
64 months ago

As much as I love Apple, I'm very glad that their monopolistic position gets investigated. Developers simply do not have a choice. Sure they can neglect the Apple App Store but that means they're missing out on a lot of sales.

Something has to be done.

In an ideal situation Apple should allow third party stores and services. They could make it so that these stores first have to comply to a set of rules and have their code checked.
I support the investigations, too. But I am against the 3rd party app stores, period.

I choose Apple for their emphasis on privacy and keeping the Ecosystem clean and tidy for the best user experience. I understand that some feel differently and that's why there are other ecosystems/platforms to choose.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Koudspeel Avatar
64 months ago
As much as I love Apple, I'm very glad that their monopolistic position gets investigated. Developers simply do not have a choice. Sure they can neglect the Apple App Store but that means they're missing out on a lot of sales.

Something has to be done.

In an ideal situation Apple should allow third party stores and services. They could make it so that these stores first have to comply to a set of rules and have their code checked.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Anaxarxes Avatar
64 months ago
Let's entertain the whole economy with this:

I want a Tesla but I want a V8. This is anti-competitive, why should I have to choose an electric Motor. I want Tesla's Tech but with a ICE. What#s gonna happen?

I want HBO content but I want it on Netflix. Why should I buy HBO subscription for only one content? I want to watch the Irishman on Amazon Prime. What is gonna happen?

I want Final Cut Pro X on Windows. Why should I have to buy a mac for it?

This is endless and nonsense.

Stick to the monopoly part and adjust the charges/fees down from 30% if needed but do not force everything outside the ecosystem into it. This is not OK.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
willyx Avatar
64 months ago

I would never in a million years use some random in-app credit card service to buy something. These developers are dreaming if they think people will use anything other then Apple to pay for things in their apps.
Yeah, sure. As if people did not pay for tenths of things outside the App Store using a myriad of platforms for payment without even noticing. I know you want to defend Apple at all costs but these arguments are getting ridiculous.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7149041 Avatar
64 months ago

Developers simply do not have a choice.
We (the devs) have much more choice than we had before iPhone was released. They are just a bunch of entitled crybabies ??‍♂️
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Riffz60 Avatar
64 months ago
This is getting silly.

Apple produces the hardware for these apps to run on.

They also produce the OS the apps run on.

They provide the storefront for these apps to be hosted on. Allowing the storefront to deal with the payment, distribution and customer service for the purchase of these apps.

if a company wants to produce software for running on these specific devices they can understand and agree to these terms.

If they think this is anti competitive they can put their software somewhere else.

Everyone on the App Store is on a level playing field. If you don’t think you’re getting enough then you’re not pricing your apps appropriately.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)