Google today announced that it will pay $700 million as part of a settlement with the U.S. Attorney General’s Office in a lawsuit over the Google Play Store. In addition, the company also agreed to take certain actions related to Google Play billing, sideloading, and how sideloaded apps are updated.
Here is the list of changes that Google has agreed to implement: All of these provisions will apply from the effective date of the Settlement.
Third-party app stores and sideloading
- Google will support installing apps on Android outside of Google Play through a variety of methods, including third-party app stores, for at least seven years.
- Google will not force developers to release apps on Google Play at the same time or sooner for at least four years. This includes not entering into agreements with developers to provide versions with more features on Google Play.
- For four years, Google has announced that third-party companies can use APIs to automatically update apps, use “split features” to download portions of apps on demand, and allow third-party companies to Support a consent mechanism to stop updates.
- Google should also allow pre-installed apps or third-party app stores to maintain “exclusive” rights to update apps unless users choose to update from another source. However, developers can opt out of the ability to allow users to update their apps from another source.
- Currently, Google displays a warning screen when you try to install apps from alternative sources. Next, the user must tap the settings button to allow installing apps from other sources. For at least 5 years, Google should merge these two screens into one and display the following message: “Your phone is not currently configured to install apps from this source.” Giving this source permission to install apps could put your phone and data at risk . “
alternative billing
- Google must allow developers to offer alternative billing mechanisms for in-app purchases for at least five years. Additionally, we can’t force developers to offer the lowest prices through Google Play billing.
- If a consumer chooses a different billing option, Google may only collect the minimum amount of data necessary from developers. Additionally, the company cannot use this data to compete with apps.
- Google will allow developers to contact users outside of their apps with their consent for promotions related to pricing and billing using information collected from outside or inside their apps for at least six years. There is a need.
- Developers can offer discounts and display them within the app to promote other billing systems. Additionally, Google can’t stop you from displaying prices linked to Google Play or Google Play’s billing system.
- For six years, Google will allow developers to display information about other purchasing options, such as “Available for purchase on our website for $9.99,” without a link.
OEM clause
- Google cannot enter into a deal with a phone manufacturer to put Google Play on the device’s home screen as a dedicated app store for at least five years.
- During the same period, device manufacturers will no longer need to ask Google for “consent” to preload third-party app stores.
- For at least four years, Google will be required to grant OEM installer rights to preloaded apps.
These changes may seem like a lot, but they may be small changes for Google. As we found out during the Epic vs. Google trial, Google is offering his 4% discount on user-selected charges May not be enough for developers to switch If the cost exceeds the savings, transfer to another payment processor. Additionally, other app stores should provide enough incentives and large numbers of users so that developers can earn more revenue through these app stores.
Source: techcrunch.com
