Google Play Store will open transactions through third-party payment channels in the UK

Following the recent authorization of third-party payment channels for transactions on the Google Play Store in regions such as the United States, South Korea, and Japan, Google has confirmed that it will implement a similar policy within the United Kingdom.

Google asserts that this resolution is based on collaboration with the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), allowing users to complete transactions on the Google Play Store through third-party payment channels, providing them with a greater variety of payment options.

As with the approach adopted in South Korea and other regions, Google will continue to charge a certain percentage of revenue share for platform usage fees, typically reducing the revenue share collected from third-party apps by about 4%.

For apps that have already been adjusted to a 15% revenue share, the share will be adjusted to 11%. For revenue shares from services such as e-books and streaming music content, the current 10% will be adjusted to 6%. In situations where annual revenue exceeds one million US dollars through an app, the revenue share will be reduced from 30% to 26%.

However, the UK Competition and Markets Authority explains that it still needs to ensure that Google’s adjustment meets actual requirements. It will solicit public opinions within the UK by May 19, and then make a final decision based on the feedback received.