In order to settle a lawsuit involving the Google Play Store, Google and the US attorney general agreed to a settlement today, with Google agreeing to pay $700 million. In addition, the business has promised to implement specific changes regarding sideloading, Google Play billing, and sideloaded app updates.
Here is a list of the adjustments Google has consented to make. These terms will all take effect on the day the settlement is finalized.
App stores from third parties and side loading
- Google will continue to facilitate Android app installs through various channels, such as third-party app stores, for a minimum of seven years after the launch of Google Play.
- For a minimum of four years, Google will not compel developers to release their apps on Google Play simultaneously or sooner. Not signing a contract with developers to release an enhanced version on Google Play is another example of this.
- For a period of four years, Google will permit outside businesses to use its APIs to update apps automatically, to download specific portions of apps as needed, and to support a consent mechanism that prevents updates from occurring while an app is being used.
- Unless the user decides to update an app from another source, Google should also permit preinstalled apps or third-party app stores to retain "exclusive" rights to update an app. Developers have the option not to allow users to update the app from an alternate source, though
- At the moment, Google displays a warning screen if you attempt to install apps from unofficial sources. Then, in order to approve the installation of apps from external sources, users must tap the settings button. Google will be forced to merge these two screens into a single one that says, "Your phone isn't configured to install apps from this source," for a minimum of five years. Your phone and data could be at risk if you allow this source to install apps.
Differential billing
- Google will have to permit developers to offer different in-app purchase payment methods for a minimum of five years. Furthermore, it cannot compel developers to use Google Play billing to give the best rates.
- If the customer selects an alternative payment method, Google can only obtain the bare minimum of information from the developer. Furthermore, the business is unable to compete with the apps using this data.
- For at least six years, Google will have to permit developers to reach out to users outside of the app for pricing and billing-related promotions using information obtained from outside or within the app with permission.
- To advertise and display other billing systems in the app, developers can provide discounts. Furthermore, Google has no control over their display of costs associated with Google Play or its billing system.
- Google is allowing developers to show details about alternative ways to buy, like "Available on our website for $9.99," without including a link, for a period of six years.
- Google is unable to reach an agreement with phone manufacturers to have Google Play serve as the only app store on their devices and be displayed on the home screen for a minimum of five years.
- Device manufacturers won't need to obtain Google's "consent" in order to preload a third-party app store during the same time frame.
- Google will have to allow OEM installers to preload apps for at least four years.
Although these appear to be significant changes, Google may only have made minor adjustments. The 4% user choice billing discount that Google provides may not be sufficient to convince developers to move to a different payment processor if costs outweigh the savings, as we discovered during the Epic v. Google trial. In order for developers to profit more from these app stores, other app stores must also offer them enough incentives and a sizable user base.
