Closed consultation

Proposed commitments regarding changes to Google Play鈥檚 rules to allow certain app developers to use alternative billing systems for in-app purchases

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Summary

The CMA is inviting comments on commitments offered by Google in the CMA鈥檚 investigation into Google Play鈥檚 rules which oblige certain app developers to use Google Play鈥檚 own billing system for in-app purchases.

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Consultation description

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invites views on the commitments offered by Google to address the CMA鈥檚 competition concerns in the context of an investigation under the Competition Act 1998. The CMA investigation relates to Google Play鈥檚 rules which oblige app developers offering digital content to use Google Play鈥檚 own billing system for in-app purchases.

Google鈥檚 proposed commitments would give app developers the freedom to offer a different billing system of their choosing, known as 鈥楧eveloper-only Billing鈥� (DOB), or offer users a choice between an alternative billing system or Google Play鈥檚 billing system, known as 鈥楿ser Choice Billing鈥� (UCB).

Any person wishing to comment on the proposed commitments should submit written representations and supporting evidence to Andrew Groves and Amanda Adams at [email protected] by 5pm on 19 May 2023. Please quote the case reference 51183 in all correspondence related to this matter.

Alternatively, comments and evidence can be submitted via the following .

The CMA welcomes comments on the proposed commitments, including on:

  • the extent of the proposed reduction in Google鈥檚 service fee under each of UCB and DOB;
  • the proposed process for the reporting of in-app purchases turnover to Google either manually or using APIs, in order for a service fee to be calculated on in-app transactions;
  • the use of information screens and, for UCB, a billing choice screen; and
  • the CMA鈥檚 proposed process for monitoring Google鈥檚 compliance with the commitments, including in particular its commitment not to retaliate against app developers choosing to use UCB or DOB.

Any non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation.

More information can be found on the investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by Google case page

Documents

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If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Updates to this page

Published 19 April 2023

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