Google, which has been criticized for so-called power-fighting with its monopoly in app marketplaces and mobile operating systems, has been subject to the highest level of sanctions ever in Korea.



The Fair Trade Commission imposed a correction order and a fine of KRW 27.4 billion on Google for forcing the Android fragmentation prohibition agreement, the so-called AFA, against device manufacturers.



If you look at the sanctions related to Google's Android OS announced by the Fair Trade Commission, it was revealed that they exercised undue influence, such as preventing device manufacturers such as Samsung Electronics from making separate operating systems.



When Google first released the Android OS in 2008, Google advocated open source to attract device makers and app developers.



However, in 2011, Google, judging that the Android OS had secured market dominance, forced the device manufacturers to sign a 'Fragmentation Prohibition Agreement' that prohibits the use of a 'fork OS' with a slightly modified Android OS.



Andy Rubin, who developed Android, threatened to revoke the Google app bundle license for all devices, including the Play Store, if it releases even one fork Android device to American computer maker Dell.



Samsung Electronics tried to install this fork OS on its smart watch 'Galaxy Gear 1' in 2013, but when Google mentioned AFA violation, it had to use its own developed OS 'Tizen'.



The Fair Trade Commission said, "AFA is unacceptable because it denies the emergence of other ecosystems using compatibility as a weapon.



Accordingly, all smartphones sold by Samsung at home and abroad, as well as devices such as smartwatches, will be able to escape Google's undue influence.



In addition, Google is being investigated by the Fair Trade Commission on three other cases: restrictions on competition in the app market, forced in-app payment, and the advertising market.



The amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act, which prohibits app market operators from coercing their payment systems on content providers, was promulgated today (14th) and went into effect.



Google has been pushing for a plan to make its payment system mandatory for all apps on Google Play from October, which caused a huge backlash in that it had to pay 30% of all Google Play transactions as a fee. provided the opportunity.



Meanwhile, Google said it plans to appeal to the court, dissatisfied with the Fair Trade Commission's fine of more than 200 billion won for forcing smartphone manufacturers to install Android, its operating system.



"Unfortunately, this decision by the Fair Trade Commission overlooks the importance of the Android compatibility program to the entire Android ecosystem and the competition between Android and Apple iOS," Google said in a statement. did not," he claimed.



Google said, "This decision is inconsistent with the basic principles of jurisdiction and international courtesy." We are forcing even countries to follow the FTC's conclusions," he said.



(Photo = Yonhap News)