Britain’s competition regulator has proposed allowing app developers to steer users to alternative payment options outside Apple and Google’s app stores to cut fees and boost competition.
Proposed Changes
The Competition and Markets Authority said the proposals would remove restrictions that currently prevent UK developers from directing users to off-platform payment options, which are banned by Apple and restricted by Google.
The watchdog said any fees charged by the companies for allowing such “steering” would need to be fair and reasonable, and should be lower than current app store commissions, with savings passed on to consumers or reinvested in innovation.
Google said it has already made the changes that the CMA is proposing, pointing to new Play Store terms introduced earlier this month allowing developers to steer users to complete transactions outside the platform, subject to some restrictions, as well as changes to its fee structure.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
