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ARTICLE · 03 MAY 2023

CMA Probe Spurs Google To Change Billing Practices

Preiskel & Co
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Google has agreed to allow developers to offer alternative payment options in its app store after the CMA launched a probe into its control over Google Play in-app purchases.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Tim Cowen
Tim Cowen
Rachel Machado
Rachel Machado

Google has agreed to allow developers to offer alternative payment options in its app store after the CMA launched a probe into its control over Google Play in-app purchases.

The investigation was launched in June 2022 following the CMA's market study into 'mobile ecosystems'. In its report, the CMA raised concerns that Google's control over payment processing in Google Play potentially leads to higher price and reduced choices for Android users.

The Report notes that Google Play accounts for over 90% of native app downloads on Android devices and restrictions placed on app developers currently require them to use Google Play's own billing system for in-app transactions involving digital content.

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