A fact-finding investigation will be conducted for the first time regarding pre-installed apps on smartphones that cannot be deleted by users from the time of purchase.
On June 27, the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced that it would carry out a fact-finding investigation after finding that Samsung Electronics' "Studio" app may be in violation of prohibited practices. The KCC inspected 187 pre-installed apps on four smartphone models, including Samsung Galaxy and Apple iPhone devices released between 2023 and 2024.
Employees are arriving at the Gwacheon Broadcasting and Communications Commission building. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@
This app is linked with the Gallery app and provides video editing features.
If the results of this investigation confirm a violation of the prohibited acts under the Telecommunications Business Act, the KCC plans to take action in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The current Telecommunications Business Act defines it as a prohibited act to restrict users from deleting pre-installed apps that are not essential for the operation of the device.
Since 2021, the KCC has conducted annual inspections of pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted. Previously, in 2022 and 2023, the KCC issued administrative guidance on five pre-installed apps (Weather, AR Doodle, AR Zone, Samsung Visit In, and Secure Wi-Fi), requiring that they be made deletable.
Meanwhile, the KCC has also begun inspecting the status of pre-installed apps on major smartphones, including the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16e, which were released in February. For some apps that appear to unduly restrict deletion, the KCC plans to review whether they violate prohibited practices and, if necessary, convert the review into a fact-finding investigation.
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