South Korea’s antitrust regulator, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), has fined Google KRW 42.1 billion ($31.88 million, roughly Rs. 262 crores) for limiting mobile video games from being released on a competing platform. The KFTC claimed that Google hindered the local app market One Store’s revenue and value as a platform by forcing video game developers to exclusively release their titles on Google Play between June 2016 and April 2018 in exchange for providing in-app exposure. Google’s market dominance was strengthened by this move. This article discusses the details of the fine and Google’s response.
Google Fined for Hindering Mobile Games
The KFTC found Google guilty of violating antitrust regulations and fined the company more than 200 billion won in 2021 for blocking customized Android operating system versions. The antitrust regulator added that Netmarble, Nexon, NCSOFT, and other smaller game developers are among those impacted by Google’s action.
According to a filing, prominent Indian startups urged India’s competition regulator to investigate Google for allegedly violating an antitrust rule by charging a high service fee for in-app payments. The Collusion of Computerized India Establishment (ADIF) recording denoted the most recent tussle between Google and Indian new companies, which have over and over scrutinized the US organization for forcing out-of-line business limitations that hurt more modest players.
Google’s Response
Google said that it would review the KFTC’s final decision to assess the next steps. A spokesperson stated, “Google makes significant investments in the success of developers, and we respectfully disagree with the KFTC’s conclusions.” Google previously stated that the service fee ensures that the Android mobile operating system and the Google Play app store are free to distribute and covers developer tools and analytics services.
Conclusion
The South Korean antitrust regulator’s decision to fine Google for limiting mobile video games from being released on a competing platform has highlighted the company’s dominance in the market. Google’s previous fine for blocking customized Android operating system versions and allegations from Indian startups about high service fees for in-app payments have also been discussed in this article. Google’s response to the fine and allegations has been to review the decisions and emphasize the company’s investment in developers.
