South Korea fines Google $32 mn for blocking release of mobile games on competitor’s platform

Korea Fair Trade Commission said Google hurt One Store's revenue by requiring video game makers to exclusively release their titles on Google Play in exchange for in-app exposure.

A woman holds her smart phone, which displays the Google home page | File Photo: Reuters

Seoul: South Korea’s antitrust regulator has fined Alphabet Inc’s 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.

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, Nexon and NCSOFT, 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; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)

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