The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) has launched an investigation to determine whether pre-installed apps embedded in smartphones at the time of purchase restrict user choice by not allowing users to delete the apps.
Under the Korea Telecommunications Business Act, it is prohibited for manufacturers and mobile carriers to unjustifiably prevent users from deleting pre-installed apps that are not essential to the functionality of the device.
KCC chairperson Lee Jinsook) announced on 27 June that the regulator initiated an investigation following an inspection of 187 pre-installed apps across four smartphone models released between 2023 and 2024.
Devices examined in the investigation included Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy and Apple’s iPhone, which identified possible violations by Samsung’s “Studio” app, which provides video editing features.
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The KCC has stated that if the investigation finds violations of the Telecommunications Business Act, appropriate measures will be taken against the companies.
“Since 2021, the KCC has conducted annual inspections of pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted by users,” the KCC states.
“The commission issued administrative guidance twice, in 2022 and 2023, requiring five pre-installed apps (Weather, AR Doodle, AR Zone, Samsung Visit In, Secure Wi-fi) to be made removable.”
The KCC says it has also begun inspecting pre-installed apps on major smartphones released in February this year, including the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16e.
“Some apps that unjustifiably restrict removal by users will be subject to further investigation if violations of the law are found,” the KCC says.
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