United Kingdom: Opened consultation on Google commitments regarding changes to Google Play’s rules to allow certain app developers to use alternative billing systems

On 19 April 2023, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a public consultation on its notice of intention to accept binding commitments offered by Google in relation to Google Play’s rules which oblige app developers offering digital content to use Google’s own billing system for in-app purchases, until 19 May 2023. In particular, Google committed to offering application developers the option to use different billing systems for processing in-app transactions. The developers would be able to choose a “Developer-only Billing” (DOB) or Google Play’s billing system, the “User Choice Billing” (UCB). In the first phase, the option will be available only for non-gaming applications and, from October 2023, to all application developers. Furthermore, Google committed to reducing the Google Play service fee by 4% if the developers choose to use the UCB system and by 3% if the developer uses the UCB. The CMA invited stakeholders to submit comments regarding its intention to accept the commitments and the enforcement instruments that CMA would use to ensure compliance.