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South Korea could block Android Market

by on March 15, 2010 4:53 am
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According to yonhapnews.co.kr, the South Korean Government is aligning itself to ‘ban’ the Android market. Indeed, “Google Inc. may be barred from operating an Android market place in South Korea, if it continues to circulate game contents without approval from the country’s regulating body, government officials said Thursday.”

“If Google does not take any measures, we may block the Android market here,” said Lee Jong-bae, a board official.

This could have far-reaching consequences for the Android OS as a whole within South Korea. It should be noted that Android smartphones have been available in South Korea since the middle of last year so this comes somewhat as a shock. The Android Market now has around 4,400 types of games that have not been rated in the ratings by South Korea Game Rating Board to establish whether or not these games are suitable to be played by children.

As things stand now, the SKGRB (no, really, I did it) have sent a letter to Google Inc. based in South Korea to effectively ask all companies involved to collaborate on this problem. According to the company’s spokeswoman Park Sun-kyung, at the moment Google’s Korea branch is reviewing and processing the letter.

WRITER

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Contributing editor of AndroidAuthority.com, based in the U.K.

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Comments
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  • g_willi

    Yo, South Korean parents: If your child is too immature to play certain games, maybe you shouldn’t be buying him/her a smart phone.

  • Kelly

    I don’t understand why google can’t be more accommodating and put some sort of net nanny device on there phones. The Korean times had an article yesterday on how ridiculously easy it is to get porn on these things. Korea is different from the U.S.A. The structure of culture is based on kids becoming independent at a very young age. The entire society creates a daily life that allows this. It is one of the few places in the world that is so safe. I understand the fear.

    One could make the argument that parents simply shouldn’t buy the phone for their children. However from a public relations standpoint this is a nightmare. They would have to create articles warning parents of the danger. Therefore making it public knowledge. If they knowingly allowed in a product that goes against Korea’s own anti-pornograpy laws…well…. you see the headache that creates.

    Google should have the technology to help this problem. I am sure it does already. If it is banned completely they will most likely use it. Right now they are holding back in order hold out for a win thinking that it will improve sales overall.

  • http://www.pronouncethis.info Gary Rector

    I could care less about games. If games are the issue, then nongame paid apps should available in Korea. If I had I w
    ouldn’t be allowed to buy apps, I never would have bought an Android phone!

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