Google Sues South Korean Watchdog To Overturn Fine

Google has filed a lawsuit against South Korea’s antitrust regulator to overturn the regulator’s decision to penalise the global technology giant for pressing smartphone makers into only using its Android mobile operating system, reported the Korean Herald.

The legal action by Google against the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) came after the KFTC decided in September last year to fine Google 207.4 billion won ($173 million) for obstructing local smartphone makers, such as Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, from using operating systems developed by rivals.

According to the sources, the suit was filed on Jan. 24 in an attempt to annul the KFTC’s decision to impose the fine and order Google LLC, Google Asia Pacific and Google Korea to take corrective steps to ban its practice of forcing local smartphone makers not to use operating systems developed by rivals.

The KFTC said Google has hampered market competition by requiring smartphone makers to enter into an “anti-fragmentation agreement (AFA)” when they sign key contracts with Google over app store licenses and early access to OS.

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