Google’s update on app system payment raises eyebrows

 Following Google’s announcement on Tuesday (19 July) that it will open up its systems to competing app stores while also lowering fees, stakeholders have eyed it with suspicion noting it may require particular attention from regulators when the Digital Markets Act (DMA) comes into force.

The announcement that Google will allow European app developers to use rival alternative payments systems while cutting fees by 3%, from 15% to 12% or 30% to 27%, is considered a half victory for the ecosystem.

“The recent passage of the Digital Markets Act will require Google Play and other industry players to adjust their current operating model for users in the European Economic Area (EEA)”, said the company in a blog post, stressing its commitment to “meeting these new requirements while ensuring that we can continue to keep people safe on our platforms and invest in Android and Play for the benefit of the entire ecosystem”. (...)