Proposed commitments regarding changes to Google Play’s rules to allow certain app developers to use alternative billing systems for in-app purchases

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) invites views on the commitments offered by Google to address the CMA’s competition concerns in the context of an investigation under the Competition Act 1998. The CMA investigation relates to Google Play’s rules which oblige app developers offering digital content to use Google Play’s own billing system for in-app purchases.

Google’s proposed commitments would give app developers the freedom to offer a different billing system of their choosing, known as ‘Developer-only Billing’ (DOB), or offer users a choice between an alternative billing system or Google Play’s billing system, known as ‘User Choice Billing’ (UCB).

Any person wishing to comment on the proposed commitments should submit written representations and supporting evidence to Andrew Groves and Amanda Adams at 51183-consultation@cma.gov.uk by 5pm on 19 May 2023. Please quote the case reference 51183 in all correspondence related to this matter.

Alternatively, comments and evidence can be submitted via the following online form.

The CMA welcomes comments on the proposed commitments, including on:

• the extent of the proposed reduction in Google’s service fee under each of UCB and DOB;
• the proposed process for the reporting of in-app purchases turnover to Google either manually or using APIs, in order for a service fee to be calculated on in-app transactions;
• the use of information screens and, for UCB, a billing choice screen; and
• the CMA’s proposed process for monitoring Google’s compliance with the commitments, including in particular its commitment not to retaliate against app developers choosing to use UCB or DOB.

Any non-disclosure agreement a party may have in place with Google should not prevent them from responding to this consultation.

More information can be found on the investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by Google case page