Google has launched a new pilot project that would allow Android app developers to accept payments using their own billing systems. Developers around the world can now sign up for the program called “User Choice Billing” and it would allow customers to choose between billing via Google Play or via the app’s choice system. Spotify was the first partner announced for User Choice Billing.
With the program, developers of non-game Android apps can sign up to offer an alternative billing method, so you don’t have to use Google Play billing all the time. The alternative billing method must comply with PCI-DSS payment information security standards, customers must have customer support for that billing method, and must notify Google of any changes to the app’s registration preferences.
If customers choose to use the alternative payment method, developers will continue to benefit from service fees, which are discounted by 4% if the alternative payment method is chosen. Google justifies that the fees collected are necessary to support “ongoing investments on Android and Google Play”.
The pilot will be tested in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan and EAA which includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy , Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Sweden.
User Choice Billing was introduced after both Apple and Google were charged with anti-competitive behavior regarding App Store collection fees. The South Korean government enacted new laws requiring Apple and Google to offer alternative payment systems.
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