The South Korean vote on Apple and Google’s App Store payment exclusivity, which had been postponed, will now take place on August 30 in front of the country’s entire assembly.
The requirement that developers utilize Apple and Google’s payment systems is set to lose a vote in South Korea’s National Assembly. On August 25, 2021, the country’s legislative and judiciary committees approved the measure.
The Telecommunications Business Act requires a final vote by the entire legislature and President Moon Jae-approval. The plenary session to debate the final vote had been scheduled for August 25, but it was postponed until further notice.
According to Bloomberg, the South Korean government has scheduled the final vote for August 30. The Act is projected to become law as a result of the bill’s passage in committee and the governing party’s majority in South Korea.
Apple previously claimed that allowing the Act’s provisions would jeopardize parental control and privacy.
“As a result of this plan, user trust in App Store transactions will erode,” Apple warned in a statement, “resulting to fewer chances for the approximately 482,000 registered developers in Korea who have earned over KRW8.55 trillion with Apple to date.”
Similarly, Google claims that South Korea’s law was hurried and will affect customers and software developers. The Information Technology Industry Council of America claims that passing the bill will contravene cooperative trade agreements.
After the voting on August 25, Korea Communications Commission Chairman Han Sang-hyuk noted, “Adjustments can be made in executing the policy.” “We are completely aware of Apple and Google’s concerns, and we will execute them with both industry stakeholders and users in mind.”
If passed, the new rule would be the first of its kind in the world to specifically target App Stores. It would also have far-reaching consequences outside of South Korea, as Apple and Google’s policies are scrutinized around the world.
In response to a developer lawsuit filed in the United States, Apple changed its App Store guidelines. The Coalition for App Fairness, a developer group, has blasted the modifications as a “sham” that does not meet app manufacturers’ concerns.
