Google is planning to punish apps that long have been violating Google Play Store rules related to in-app purchase billing policy. This new action will take place as soon as next week under “updated guidelines”, says a report from Bloomberg.
The Alphabet Inc. unit plans to issue updated guidelines as early as next week that clarify a requirement for most apps to use Google’s billing service for in-app content downloads, game upgrades and subscriptions. This system gives the company a 30% cut of purchases inside of apps on Android.
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What’s the reason behind this restructuring of rules in Google Play policy?
The Google Play in-App policy has existed for years but according to Google, major developers including Netflix Inc., Spotify Technology SA, Match Group Inc., and Epic Games Inc., have circumvented the rule.
Media streaming app including Netflix and Spotify allows users to pay using a credit card instead of Play Store’s payment system and also bypassing Google’s earning cut. Meanwhile, the number of app developers growing that choose to include their own payment system.
One of the most recent controversies includes Epic Games, which allowed users to purchase in-game content for Fortnite through its own payment method as well as providing them a discount. After this change from Epic, Google and Apple both removed Fortnite from Play Store and App Store for violating their in-app purchase policies.
App Developers will get time to comply with new rules:
Following the announcement of new guidelines, Google will allow major developers to comply with new policies and their apps will not be removed immediately.
“As an open platform, Android allows multiple app stores. In fact, most Android devices come with at least two stores right out of the box, and users can install others,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement. “For developers who choose to distribute their apps on Google Play, our policy has always required them to use Play’s billing system if they offer in-app purchases of digital goods. We are always working with our partners to clarify these policies and ensure they are applied equitably and reasonably.”
Currently, it’s not revealed, what the changes Google really planning to add or force on app developers to add in their respective applications but we’ll soon get to know more information on this matter.
