Google Introduces Third-Party Billing for Play Store Apps in the UK
Google has announced that third-party billing options will be available for non-gaming apps on the Play Store in the UK and other regions, allowing developers to bypass the full 30% transaction fee.
Read More: US Court Directs Google to Permit Competing Apps on the Play Store
Key Policy Updates
The new policy, effective March 29, permits developers to offer an alternative billing system alongside Google’s own payment method. However, Google Play’s billing system must still be included in the app, meaning developers cannot entirely remove or replace it. Users opting for third-party payments may help developers reduce transaction fees.
Regulatory Pressure on Google
This shift follows a 2022 investigation by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which examined Google and Apple for potentially anti-competitive practices in in-app payments. To address these concerns, Google agreed to allow alternative billing methods, leading the CMA to close its investigation.
Broader Impact
While currently limited to non-gaming apps, this move aligns with global regulatory trends. Google has implemented similar policies in South Korea, India, and the European Economic Area. Whether gaming apps will be included in the future remains uncertain.
