[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Coalition for App Fairness (CAF), a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that includes Epic Games and Spotify, has expressed support for the Google Abuse Prevention Act (Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act) passed in Korea and urged efforts to ensure the law is successfully established.
In a statement on the 19th, CAF said, "We express our gratitude for the efforts made by government ministries and the National Assembly to ensure the successful establishment of the Korean government's amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act, and at the same time, we urge proper enforcement of the law."
The Coalition for App Fairness was established in 2020 to create a fair competitive environment in the app market and to establish consumer freedom of choice in the use of app content.
Rick VanMeter, Secretary General of the Coalition for App Fairness, said, "The progress made by the Korean government and National Assembly in app market policies is so advanced that it is unmatched anywhere else in the world," adding, "We were very encouraged by the fact that the Google Abuse Prevention Act was officially implemented in the Korean market for the first time worldwide this past March."
He continued, "Currently, many countries around the world are in the process of legislating laws with similar objectives to Korea's in-app payment prevention law," and said, "The firm establishment of Korea's in-app payment prevention law, along with its effectiveness, will serve as an excellent precedent for major legislative discussions such as the European Union's Digital Market Act and the United States' Open App Market Act."
Furthermore, the Coalition for App Fairness expressed concern over Google and Apple's attempts to prohibit third-party payment methods using external web links in app markets and to impose unreasonably high fees on third-party alternative payment systems. They also urged relevant authorities to take legal action.
CAF plans to continue monitoring the enforcement process of the law in Korea and assist in the establishment of similar laws in global markets.
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