Still Using External Links For Payment, Google Stops Update KakaoTalk Application On PlayStore

Google stops updating KakaoTalk app in South Korea (photo: Wikipedia)

JAKARTA - Google has reportedly stopped providing updates to the messaging application, KakaoTalk in South Korea, because the application uses an external payment link in its Android application.

So far, Google has changed its policy by telling all applications in the PlayStore to make payments through the Google system.

"All developers selling digital goods and services in their apps are required to use Google Play's billing system," Google wrote in a note detailing its new in-app payment policies.

Google also mentions that app developers can follow the applicable policies, and confirms that starting June 1, 2022, any apps that don't comply with the applicable regulations will be removed from Google Play.

The actions taken by the KakaoTalk company certainly violate these policies. However, according to reports from local (South Korean) media, they can still update their applications through the AppStore and OneStore.

Some time ago, an application developer in South Korea has increased the price of its subscriptions to maintain revenue while paying the commission fees required by the Google Play Store.

To overcome Google's mandatory billing policy and substantial fees, South Korean app developers such as Kakao, Naver, and Ridi saw a 20 percent increase.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) told TechCrunch last month that it will be watching Google to see if it will remove any apps that violate its new policies.