South Korean regulator recommends Apple be prosecuted for hampering fair trade probe
(2021/03/31)
- Reference: 1617170287
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/03/31/apple_south_korea_prosecution/
- Source link:
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has recommended Apple’s local outpost be prosecuted for hampering its investigations into its affairs and slapped it with a 300 million Won (US$264,000) fine.
A Wednesday [1]statement by the Commission (FTC) alleges that when investigators visited Apple South Korea, they found the internet and intranet turned off and therefore could not inspect Apple applications or access data relevant to their probes. Apple staff dragged their heels when asked to restore access.
[2]
The statement also alleges that senior Apple execs prevented investigators from entering the company’s offices, with an official’s arm pulled during a visit. Apple also did not allow access to meeting rooms, further hampering investigators ability to do their jobs.
Apple coughs $84m to settle South Korean market abuse case [3]READ MORE
[4]
The FTC says its visits were preceded by assurances that its officers would not alter data in any way, suggesting Apple could not legitimately claim data security as a reason for its actions.
The alleged incidents took place during the FTC’s investigation into Apple’s dealings with local mobile carriers, which saw Cupertino strong-arm them into paying for advertising and even for repairs of in-warranty iThings.
Apple settled that case in 2020, for around $84m.
[5]
The FTC seems keen to score a win in this new case, as its statement notes this is the first time it has issued sanctions against a company for obstructing access to data. ®
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[1] https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/selectReportUserView.do?key=10&rpttype=1&report_data_no=9022
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/25/apple_antistrust_settlement_south_korea/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
A Wednesday [1]statement by the Commission (FTC) alleges that when investigators visited Apple South Korea, they found the internet and intranet turned off and therefore could not inspect Apple applications or access data relevant to their probes. Apple staff dragged their heels when asked to restore access.
[2]
The statement also alleges that senior Apple execs prevented investigators from entering the company’s offices, with an official’s arm pulled during a visit. Apple also did not allow access to meeting rooms, further hampering investigators ability to do their jobs.
Apple coughs $84m to settle South Korean market abuse case [3]READ MORE
[4]
The FTC says its visits were preceded by assurances that its officers would not alter data in any way, suggesting Apple could not legitimately claim data security as a reason for its actions.
The alleged incidents took place during the FTC’s investigation into Apple’s dealings with local mobile carriers, which saw Cupertino strong-arm them into paying for advertising and even for repairs of in-warranty iThings.
Apple settled that case in 2020, for around $84m.
[5]
The FTC seems keen to score a win in this new case, as its statement notes this is the first time it has issued sanctions against a company for obstructing access to data. ®
Get our [6]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.ftc.go.kr/www/selectReportUserView.do?key=10&rpttype=1&report_data_no=9022
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://www.theregister.com/2020/08/25/apple_antistrust_settlement_south_korea/
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/legal&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YGRIQQWiLNtKKhoau@xiaQAAABY&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[6] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Anonymous Coward
I'm guessing ... Android is the favored son in Korea? Probably can't get any tighter than Samsung and Google.
Anonymous Coward
Corruption at the highest levels of Samsung and Korean government are well documented but still the Android fanboys down vote you.
Anonymous Coward
Perhaps because the story is about Apple, and not about corruption in or between Samsung and the Korean Government. There was no suggestion nor accusation in the article that the obstruction claims against Apple were fabricated, due to corruption or otherwise, so there was no reason to mention it.
Such blatant disobedience deserves a harsher punishment
Pascal Monett
It seems that the Apple mentality is despicable across the globe.
"slapped it with a 300 million Won (US$264,000) fine."
Wow, bet that'll hurt 'em.