Google fined $177m in South Korea for abusing Android dominance
According to the report, the fine is related to Google’s requirement that OEMs sign an “Anti-Fragmentation Agreement” or AFA before gaining access to Android. This agreement prohibits them from installing modified versions of Android on their devices. The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has reportedly believed that this practice will cement Google’s dominance in operating system and app store areas and impede competition. In addition to the fine, the KFTC has reportedly ordered Google to ban its AFA requirements.
Google’s fines this year
It’s not the first time this year that Google has been in hot water. In July, the company was fined $ 590 million in France for its dealings with news publishers. Two months earlier, Italy fined Google $ 123 million for abusing its Android Auto dominance. In the US, Google is still facing antitrust proceedings against 36 states that were filed in July and question the company’s dominance in the app store on Android. The EU Commission is also investigating Google’s handling of alternative language assistants on Android.
