Google announces third-party 'in app' billing pilot in India, some other markets

Google announces third-party 'in app' billing pilot in India, some other markets

By:PTI
| Updated on: Sep 02 2022, 21:54 IST
Google just banned these Play Store apps! Beware! Did you download any? Check full list
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1/7 Android smartphone users are again at risk! Cybersecurity researchers have reported about a new malware threat called Autolycos. The worrying part is that the malware has chosen the widely used Google Play Store platform to disseminate the malware to the victim’s phone via apps, Express.co.uk reported (Pixabay)
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2/7 Moreover, not just one or two, but a total of eight apps on the Google Play Store have been reported to be spoiled with this dangerous malware. The report says that there have already been 3 million installs of these apps, which is concerning because that means there are so many people who are being swindled and whose privacy is being violated. (Unsplash)
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3/7 The danger of Autolycos malware is that the users find it hard to detect the apps with this malware in them and meanwhile, it performs malicious activities including, even reading SMS on the device. Not just that, shockingly, the malware is capable of even paying for premium services without letting the victim know! (Unsplash)
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4/7 List of apps on Google Play Store infected by Autolycos malware: Vlog Star Video Editor, Creative 3D Launcher, Wow Beauty Camera, Gif Emoji Keyboard, Freeglow Camera 1.0.0, Coco Camera v1.1, Funny Camera’, and Razer Keyboard & Theme’. (Unsplash)
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5/7 Collectively, all these apps have a total of 3 million installs. This simply means, around 3 million Android smartphone users are in danger. (Unsplash)
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6/7 However, the good news is that Google has banned these malware-affected applications from the Play Store. Still, Android users are advised to monitor background internet data and battery consumption constantly to keep themselves safe against these malware threats. (Unsplash)
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7/7 Also, cybersecurity researchers should try to minimize the number of apps you install on your smartphones. In case, these apps or any data related to them are available on your device, then you should immediately delete them now. (Unsplash)
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A reasonable service fees will continue to apply in order to support investments in Android and Play, according to Google. (AFP)

Google on Friday announced that third-party 'in app' billing system pilot will be extended to India and some other markets, allowing non-gaming developers to offer users the choice of an alternative billing mechanism alongside that of Google Play.

A reasonable service fees will continue to apply in order to support investments in Android and Play, according to Google. However, specifics of what the reasonable service fees will be, have not been disclosed.

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Users will still have the choice to use Google Play's billing system.

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"With this next phase of Google Play's user choice billing pilot, all non-gaming developers can offer an additional billing choice alongside Play's billing system for their users in Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia, and the European Economic Area," a Google spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added: "We will be sharing more in the coming months as we continue to build and iterate with our pilot partners."

With this, all non-gaming developers globally can sign up to participate in the pilot and offer this choice to their mobile and tablet users in these select markets.

The move comes amid discontent among developers as well as increasing global scrutiny of app stores norms, and the way commissions are structured by big app stores.

Put simply, user choice billing refers to the ability for developers to offer an alternative in-app billing system alongside Google Play's. At checkout, users are able to choose which billing system to use.

In-app purchases are additional content, features, or subscriptions that users buy within a particular app. The Google Play Billing policy has always required developers to use Google Play's billing system for in-app purchases of digital goods.

Earlier this year, Google announced a new pilot to explore user choice billing in apps on Google Play, allowing participating developers to offer users an alternative billing system next to Google Play's billing system.

In March, Google said it would allow Spotify to use its own payment system in its Android app as part of new pilot program.

Following passage of a new law in South Korea last year, Google also said it would allow developers to introduce third- party payment systems alongside its own in that market.

As per Google, Google Play is the first and only major app store to pilot user choice billing. No other major app store, whether on mobile, desktop, or game consoles, has taken similar steps toward providing more payment choice and opportunities for developers, users and the entire internet ecosystem, it contends.

"Android has always been a uniquely open operating system, and we continue to evolve our platform and increase the choices available to developers and users, while maintaining our ability to invest in the ecosystem," the Google spokesperson said on the latest announcement.

Over the last two years, Google has moved away from one-size-fits-all pricing and as per its estimates, currently 99 per cent of developers qualify for a service fee of 15 per cent or less.

Google emphasises it is constantly listening to external feedback and considering changes to business that enable the Android ecosystem to compete and thrive.

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First Published Date: 02 Sep, 19:26 IST
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