Samsung to Invest $90 Billion in South Korea to Expand AI Chip, Display, and Battery Production 
Sodexo Raises 2026 Revenue Outlook After Strong Q3 Sales Beat 
Super Micro Employees Detained in Taiwan AI Server Export Investigation 
EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
Lockheed Martin Emerges as Frontrunner to Acquire Ultra Maritime in $3.5 Billion Defense Deal 
ShareChat Eyes 2027 IPO After Reaching Operational Profitability, Report Says 
Apple Expands iPhone Lineup, Boosts Foldable iPhone Production Plans Through 2027 
Texas Man Charged After Fatal Tesla Full Self-Driving Crash in Katy 
Switch Seeks $2 Billion Funding at Nearly $50 Billion Valuation Ahead of Potential IPO 
Citi Raises TSMC Price Target as AI Chip Demand Strengthens Growth Outlook 
AI Memory Chip Shortage Likely to Persist Despite Korea Investment Boom, Nomura Says 
TetherMax Rebranding Highlights Official Exchange Partnerships as Foundation of Trust 
easyJet Agrees in Principle to £5.23 Billion Castlelake Takeover Offer 
Chinese Copper Foil Maker Londian Files U.S. IPO as EV Battery Demand Grows 
DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Fraud Charges Against Gautam Adani in U.S. Court 
Google emphasized that the enforcement of its app market's billing system, which charges a 30 percent fee, would only affect 2 percent of South Korean app developers.
According to Google, nearly 97 percent of those that sell digital goods already use the Play's billing system.
Google added that it made the language in its payments policy more explicit making all developers selling digital goods in their apps to use Google Play's billing system.
Many apps have circumvented the rule by using other systems, such as direct credit card payments.
Google is giving app developers one-year to adopt the system and would start enforcing the billing system on the Play store's new apps Jan. 20.
Last month, the Korea Internet Corporations Association (KICA)
requested the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) to look into the then planned policy changes.
KICA, which represents major local tech companies, such as top portal operator Naver Corp., lamented that the move would result in more fees on app users and further solidify Google's dominance.
Last year, Google's Play Store posted sales of 6 trillion won in South Korea, representing 63.4 percent of total app store sales in the country.
Apple's App Store had a 24.4 percent stake at 2.3 trillion won, according to the Korea Mobile Internet Business Association.
Local app developers added that Google's move could be violative of local rules against unfairly restricting for users from choosing services.
KCC Chairman, Han Sang-hyuk, views Google's billing system as a violation and is currently reviewing it.
Purnima Kochikar, a director at Google Play, pointed out that developers are not required to use Google Play as Android provides other options, such as Samsung Electronics Co.'s Galaxy Store and ONE Store.
Google also pointed out that Naver and Kakao Corp., who operate unique billing systems to meet domestically, achieved success overseas by enjoying the convenience built by Google Play's billing system.
