https://www.reuters.com/technology/south-korea-fines-google-32-mln-blocking-release-games-competitors-platform-2023-04-11/

Skip to main content
Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals
Learn more about 
Reuters home

  * World
  * Business
  * Markets
  * Legal
  * Breakingviews
  * Technology
  * Investigations
  * Sports
  * More

My View
Register

  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 

  * 
  * 
  * 

  * Technology

1 minute readApril 11, 20238:03 PM UTCLast Updated ago

South Korea fines Google $32 mln for blocking games on competing
platform

By Hyunsu Yim
and Heekyong Yang
File photo of a woman holding her smart phone which displays the
Google home page, in this picture illustration
A woman holds her smart phone, which displays the Google home page,
in this picture illustration taken February 24, 2016. REUTERS/Eric
Gaillard/Illustration/File Photo

  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 

  * 
  * 
  * 

SEOUL, April 11 (Reuters) - South Korea's antitrust regulator has
fined Alphabet Inc's (GOOGL.O) Google 42.1 billion won ($31.88
million) 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 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 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 U.S. technology giant is part of
efforts by the government to ensure fair markets.

Game makers affected by Google's action include Netmarble (251270.KS)
, Nexon (225570.KQ) and NCSOFT (036570.KS), as well as other smaller
companies, the antitrust regulator added.

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

($1 = 1,320.4200 won)

Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Heekyong Yang; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell
and Christian Schmollinger

  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 
  * 

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Read Next

  *  
    The entrance to an office listed as belonging to Quadream is seen
    in a high rise building in Ramat Gan, Israel
    TechnologycategoryIsraeli spyware used to hack across 10
    countries, Microsoft and watchdog say, article with gallery8:15
    PM UTC
  *  
    Illustration picture of ChatGPT
    DisruptedcategoryUS begins study of possible rules to regulate AI
    like ChatGPT, article with gallery7:47 PM UTC
  *  
    Illustration shows TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing
    Company) logo
    TechnologycategoryBuffett says geopolitics a factor in Berkshire
    sale of TSMC stake, article with image2:21 PM UTC
  *  
    Illustration shows OpenAI and ChatGPT logos
    DisruptedcategoryOpenAI to offer users up to $20,000 for
    reporting bugs, article with image7:08 PM UTC

 
refinitiv_image_desktop

Site Index

Browse

  * World
  * Business
  * Legal
  * Markets
  * Breakingviews
  * Technology
  * Investigations, opens new tab
  * Lifestyle

About Reuters

  * About Reuters, opens new tab
  * Careers, opens new tab
  * Reuters News Agency, opens new tab
  * Brand Attribution Guidelines, opens new tab
  * Reuters Leadership, opens new tab
  * Reuters Fact Check, opens new tab
  * Reuters Diversity Report, opens new tab

Stay Informed

  * Download the App, opens new tab
  * Newsletters, opens new tab

Information you can trust

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the
world's largest multimedia news provider, reaching billions of people
worldwide every day. Reuters provides business, financial, national
and international news to professionals via desktop terminals, the
world's media organizations, industry events and directly to
consumers.

Follow Us

  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  
  *  

Thomson Reuters Products

  * Westlaw, opens new tab

    Build the strongest argument relying on authoritative content,
    attorney-editor expertise, and industry defining technology.

  * Onesource, opens new tab

    The most comprehensive solution to manage all your complex and
    ever-expanding tax and compliance needs.

  * Checkpoint, opens new tab

    The industry leader for online information for tax, accounting
    and finance professionals.

Refinitiv Products

  * Refinitiv Workspace, opens new tab

    Access unmatched financial data, news and content in a
    highly-customised workflow experience on desktop, web and mobile.

  * Refinitiv Data Catalogue, opens new tab

    Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market
    data and insights from worldwide sources and experts.

  * Refinitiv World-Check, opens new tab

    Screen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to
    help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human
    networks.

  * Advertise With Us, opens new tab
  * Advertising Guidelines, opens new tab

  * Cookies, opens new tab
  * Terms of Use, opens new tab
  * Privacy, opens new tab
  * Digital Accessibility, opens new tab
  * Corrections, opens new tab
  * Site Feedback, opens new tab

All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete
list of exchanges and delays.

(c) 2023 Reuters. All rights reserved