South Korea Fines Google and Apple in 2026: Will In-App Purchases Finally Get Cheaper?
South Korea Fines Google and Apple in 2026: Will In-App Purchases Finally Get Cheaper? Quick Answer Major penalties: South Korea approved approximately 63.7 billion won ($45 million) in combined fines against Google and Apple on October 28, 2026. Payment freedom: Regulators ordered both companies to allow alternative payment options, including external payment links within apps. Fee restrictions: The companies were criticized for charging approximately 26% in commissions even when developers used third-party payment systems. Potential savings: Lower payment costs could eventually reduce subscription prices, mobile game purchases, and other digital expenses. No guaranteed discounts: Developers decide whether to pass any resulting savings on to customers. You open an app, decide to upgrade to a premium subscription, and pay the amount shown on your screen. Most people never think about how much of that payment goes to the company that created the app and how much...