Last month, South Korean lawmakers passed legislation that forces Apple to allow app developers to use their own payment systems, a move that got Fortnite kicked off last year.<\/b>
\nApple has denied calls from Fortnite-maker Epic Games to reinstate its developer account on South Korea’s App Store in efforts to re-release its popular multiplayer game after the country passed a law that forces the iPhone maker to allow third-party payment systems for in-app transactions. Late last month, South Korea\u2019s parliament passed a law that banned Apple and Google from forcing app developers on their iOS or Android mobile platforms to use their proprietary billing system for charging customers on all digital purchases. Developers who have so far been forced to use these billing systems are required to pay a hefty commission\u2014between 15% to 30%\u2014on all transactions. Several app developers have raised concerns about Apple and Google abusing the power of their dominant ecosystems. The most high profile of these cases has involved Epic Games which is locked in a legal battle with Apple in a U. S court after its popular game Fortnite was removed from the iPhone and iPad app store. Fortnite\u2019s termination from the App Store was a direct result of it offering an external payment option\u2014which circumvents Apple\u2019s 30% fee\u2014on its game for in-app purchases, which is not allowed under Apple\u2019s rules. Verdict on the case\u2014which is being presided over by a California federal court judge\u2014is yet to come, but Apple\u2019s App Store fees are now facing a flurry of antitrust investigations in the U.S. and abroad. In July, a group of bipartisan senators introduced a bill that would bar companies from forcing their payment system on app developers. Last year, the European Union unveiled a set of proposals that would force the likes of Apple and Google to divest parts of their business if they fail to adhere to fair competition rules. Epic takes fight with Apple over online payments to South Korea (Financial Times) Apple won\u2019t let Epic bring Fortnite back to South Korea\u2019s App Store (The Verge)<\/p>\n