The Korea Communications Commission will conduct an initial fact-finding investigation into pre-installed apps that limit user choice, which have been present since the first purchase of a smartphone.
The Korea Communications Commission announced on the 27th that it found the 'Studio' app from Samsung Electronics could be in violation of banned practices following an inspection of 187 pre-installed apps on four smartphone models released between 2023 and 2024, including the Samsung Galaxy and Apple iPhone. The Studio app provides video editing features linked to the gallery app.
The Korea Communications Commission plans to take action according to applicable laws if the fact-finding investigation confirms violations of banned practices under the Telecommunications Business Act. The current Telecommunications Business Act defines the unreasonable restriction by manufacturers and carriers that prevents users from deleting apps not essential for implementing device functions among pre-installed apps as a banned practice.
The Korea Communications Commission has been inspecting non-deletable pre-installed apps annually since 2021. In 2022 and 2023, it conducted administrative guidance to allow deletion of five pre-installed apps: ▲Weather ▲AR (Augmented Reality) Doodle ▲AR Zone ▲Samsung Visit In ▲Security Wi-Fi.
The Korea Communications Commission has also launched a status inspection of pre-installed apps on major smartphones released this year, including the Galaxy S25 and iPhone 16e. It plans to examine whether some apps unfairly limit user deletion and to transition to a fact-finding investigation if necessary.