Google's “preloading” of its web search engine on smartphones could be tantamount to abuse of its superior position, Minister of Science and ICT Choi Ki-young said last Thursday. Choi's remarks at the National Assembly audit of the administration indicate that the Korean government's position is little different from that of its U.S. counterpart. Washington filed an antitrust suit recently against the global tech giant for shutting out rivals to ensure that Google's web search engine has a dominant position on Android phones and iPhones.
Rep. Yoon Young-chan of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea pointed out that Google has also been secretively sharing profits with local phone makers and telecom carriers to solidify its monopolistic position in the Korean market. All this shows Google's monopolistic tyranny in the U.S. is being repeated here, requiring swift investigation and strict countermeasures.
The U.S. tech behemoth has also come under fire in Korea recently for adopting a new policy to make all apps on Google Play store use its proprietary billing system. The company added that it would take a 30 percent commission on all digital content purchased by users. “The main reason behind Google's decision is the lack of competition in this market,” said Joh Sung-wook, chairperson of the Korea Fair Trade Commission. “I believe Google harmed market competition, using its dominant position.”
Joh said KFTC was investigating Google's competition-stifling practices. The National Assembly is also pushing to enact laws to block the proprietary billing system. However, Google says its policies are matters of consumer choice, and it does not intend to raise user fees. That makes it all the more necessary for the Korean antitrust agency to conduct a thorough probe.
The U.S. government's suit against Google reflects its judgment that the company has exceeded danger levels. The situation is hardly different here. If fair competition crumbles, it harms consumers. The government should rectify Google's anti-market practices to protect consumers and create a sound internet ecosystem. The government should speed up probes into Google and sternly punish any irregularities committed by Google and its Korean collaborators. Bureaucrats and legislators should work out legal and institutional devices to prevent Google's tyranny using its market monopoly.