Abuse of Dominance in Digital Markets: The Korea Fair Trade Commissions Google Play Store Decision

Abstract

This paper introduces the decision rendered by the Korea Fair Trade Commission regarding the Google Play Store Case in April 2023. Google Play Store dominates the market for Android-based app stores both domestically and globally. Upon the launch of One Store, an integrated app store of three mobile carriers and Koreas leading search engine Naver, Google devised a strategy aimed at securing exclusive release of games. The Commission determined that Googles action that limits multi-homing constitutes anticompetitive behavior, resulting in the exclusion of One Store from the competitive landscape.