Google Sniper Assemblyman Han Junho "Will Accelerate the Abuse Prevention Act"

At the Science and ICT Committee Audit, Criticism Directed at Google
Advocating for Expanded User Choice Through Competition Among App Market Operators

Han Junho, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea

[Asia Economy reporters Seulgina Jo and Baeri Boo] "The biggest victims are the users, but Google is playing the 'victim cosplay.' The National Assembly's role is to change the environment so that Google can never again engage in abusive practices like a 'virus.'"

The most prominent figure in the 2020 National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee (STIBC) audit, commonly referred to as the 'Google audit,' was Representative Han Junho of the Democratic Party of Korea (photo). When Google Korea, testifying at the audit, expressed discomfort over the push for the 'Google Abuse Prevention Act (Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act),' Han sharply criticized them and revealed evidence showing that Google had coerced domestic game developers to express opinions in its favor. He successfully made his debut as the 'Google sniper' in the audit.

"We Must Accelerate the Google Abuse Prevention Act"

In a recent interview with this publication, Representative Han said, "The U.S. has also clearly judged that unfair practices by app market operators must be sanctioned," adding, "Starting with the public hearing on the 9th, we will work to ensure that legislation to prevent Google's abuse gains momentum." Earlier, Google announced that from next year, app developers on Google Play would be forced to use Google's own payment method (in-app payment) when selling content and items, taking a hefty 30% commission in the process, sparking controversy over an 'app toll.' Representative Han compared Google's actions to "starting as a good landlord, then raising rent excessively as it grew, forcing tenants into exclusive contracts so they can't go elsewhere, and eventually becoming a shareholder taking 30% of the shares," likening it to a malicious landlord.

The amendment bill previously introduced by Representative Han is also being discussed as part of an integrated plan within the STIBC. Going beyond other bills that prohibit ▲forcing a specific payment method and ▲inducing mobile content providers not to supply other app markets, this bill introduces the concept of 'content equal access rights.' He explained, "When mobile content providers of a certain scale supply content to a specific app market operator, they must also provide it to other app market operators without discrimination," adding, "From the user's perspective, this allows them to avoid expensive options and purchase from those offering lower prices by creating a favorable environment."

Refuting Claims That the Act 'Takes Away App Market Choice'

Just before the public hearing, some voices suddenly emerged expressing concerns that the Google Abuse Prevention Act might inadvertently harm innocent small and medium-sized developers. Similar concerns were raised about the content equal access rights introduced during the launch of IPTV to create fair competition conditions for new broadcasters, with worries that it would "take away app market choice." Representative Han dismissed these concerns, saying, "This is not an industry concern but Google's fear of losing its monopoly." His main rebuttals were that ▲the bill targets operators above a certain scale, so small developers are not affected, ▲from the user's perspective, choice is actually expanded, and ▲the development cost burden for small developers on the same OS platform is not significant.

Representative Han said, "The native app market One Store could benefit," but added, "If One Store, which has about a 10% market share, grows to 20-30%, Google will no longer be able to engage in abusive practices. We need to create an environment where competition among app market operators is possible, like One Store's recent announcement of a temporary 50% discount." He explained that in this case, fair competition would actually broaden users' choices.

Comparing Google's abuse to a 'virus,' Representative Han reiterated the importance of fostering a competitive environment in the interview. He said, "Although they don't openly say it because they are wary of Google, small and medium developers also agree," and argued, "Simply introducing the concept of content equal access rights on a 'temporary' basis could change the market environment."

Meanwhile, Representative Han plans to file a perjury complaint against Google Korea for false testimony during last month's audit. At that time, Han questioned Im Jaehyun, Executive Director of Google Korea, who appeared as a witness, about whether he had coerced game developers to oppose the ban on in-app payments and content equal access rights. Im denied it, saying, "I have never done that." However, within hours after this response, testimony from a game industry insider confirming Google's coercion was reported in the media.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.