As Android makers began complying with local regulatory directives in key overseas markets, Google began supporting third-party billing systems for Google Play Store purchases in India.
Google said on Thursday’s support page that it is offering “all developers” serving users in India the option to use an alternative billing system, which developers will need to follow in order to take advantage of the option. It outlined the procedure. The change is a “response to recent regulatory developments” in the South Asian market, the company said.
The company says Google’s Play services fees are reduced by 4% if users pay through another billing system.
Google was fined $161 million by India’s Competition Commission last year and ordered to make a series of drastic changes to its business practices in India. Google continues to dispute the decision, but said last month it would comply with the order.
Google also says it will give consumers the ability to switch their preferred search engine on Android, allowing domestic smartphone vendors to license individual apps to pre-install on Android-powered devices.
However, some argue that Google has not fully complied with this directive. Epic Games, the video game giant behind the popular title Fortnite, announced earlier this month that Google did not fully comply with the Indian Supreme Court’s order, opting for a major overseas market to expand its global reach with his Android maker. claimed to have escalated the fight.
In its Indian court filing, Epic promised to make material changes to its business practices surrounding Android, yet Google refused to allow competing app stores to be downloaded through the Google Play store. No, and Indian consumers cannot uninstall preloaded apps. Google app from handset.
Google warned last month that implementing changes across its ecosystem “will be a complex process, often requiring significant effort by partners, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and developers.” .
India is a major market for Google, with over 500 million users. According to research firm Counterpoint, more than 97% of all smartphones in India are powered by Google’s Android mobile operating system. Google has poured billions into the country over the past decade and is in the process of investing another $10 billion.
“Our commitment to Indian users and the country’s digital transformation is unwavering,” the company said last month. Google has previously warned that following regulatory directives could lead to a proliferation of unverified apps that pose a threat to personal and national security.
