According to the report, the fine is related to Google’s requirement that original equipment manufacturers sign an “anti-fragmentation agreement” or AFA before gaining access to Android. The agreement prohibits them from installing a modified version of Android on their devices. According to reports, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) understands that this approach has consolidated Google’s dominant position in the operating system and app store and hindered competition. According to reports, in addition to fines, KFTC also ordered Google to ban its AFA requirements.
Google’s fine this year
This is not the first time Google has found itself in trouble this year. In July, the company was fined US$590 million in France for dealing with news publishers. Two months ago, Italy fined Google US$123 million for abusing its dominance of Android Auto. In the United States, Google still faces antitrust lawsuits filed in 36 states in July, challenging the company’s dominance of the app store on Android. The European Commission is also investigating Google’s handling of alternative voice assistants on Android.