Google has decided to stop providing updates to one of the most popular messaging apps in South Korea, KakaoTalk. The company decided to stop updates when the app refused to remove its own payment links.
Google Stops Providing Updates for KakaoTalk Due to External Payment Method
As per a local report, the company decided to do this when Kakao "continued using an external payment link in its Android app." Using an external payment link is against the new in-app payments policy of Google.
The new policy by the company requires developers that are selling digital goods and services to use the first-party billing system of Google. Kakao, however, has been using its very own external link that leads to the company's website.
The New Move was Made in Accordance to Google's New Policy
According to the story by Tech Crunch, this is the first time that Google has decided to stop users on PlayStore from updating an app after the recent payment policy went into effect. The new policy went into effect in June.
Users, however, can still update by using the AppStore or OneStore. The big question that remains is if Google will also be stopping updates for other apps that decide to provide external payment links or if the company will remove those types of apps completely.
Developers are Required to Use Google Play's Billing System as Per New Policy
As per Google's new in-app payments policy, all developers will be required to use Google Play's billing system. Apps that were still using alternative payment systems will need to remove them in order for their app to comply with the new payments policy.
It was also noted that starting June 1, any app that decides not to comply with the new policy "will be removed from Google Play." In 2021, however, the company noted that it would comply with South Korea's alternative billing system which would allow developers to use other third-party payment options.
Google Takes a 15-30% Commission of Purchases Made Through Their Payment Methods
Another technique that developers can use is to provide links to their website inside the app. This would allow users to buy directly from them which could still bypass Google's billing as a whole.
Developers in South Korea have also increased their paid subscription and service fees on Google's Play. This is due to the large 15-30% commissions that the company is now requiring due to its policy changes.
Read Also: Google Agrees to Pay $90 Million to App Store Developers - Here's Why
The KCC Will be Keeping an Eye on Google to See if They Remove Any Apps Due to the New Policy
In April, however, the Korean Communications Commission said "the prohibition of app developers from using the weblink payment option would breach South Korea's app payment law." The app payment law requires app store operators to allow third-party payments.
The KCC also noted that they would be keeping an eye on Google to see if they decide to remove any app due to the new policy.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian B.
