Google Allows Third-Party Payment Applications In Several Countries, Including Indonesia

Google allows third-party omission on the Play Store. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - Google is quietly expanding its "User Options Collection" trial to allow more developers of non-game Android apps to offer third-party payment options as an alternative to Google Play.

Reported by 9to5Google, developers will see their service costs of 15 to 30 percent reduced by 4 percent when users select a new third-party billing option, which developers must support, not Google, if there is a customer problem.

Now, from September 1, developers registered from the European Economic Region (EEA), India, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia can participate in the Collection of Users' Choices. Google argues that 99 percent of developers using the company's own Play Store billing qualify for 15 percent service cost rates. But Spotify, which generates revenue in the world that pays Google 30 percent is up for every in-app purchase.

The User Options Collection Pilot was originally launched in March with Spotify appointed as its first partner, after Google was forced to offer payment in alternative applications in South Korea.

The move comes as a direct response to the strong criticism Google and Apple receive globally over the costs they take from purchases made in their digital stores locking developers out of third-party in-app payment systems.

There is no word on when this program will be expanded to game developers or US-based developers. Google only told The Verge that, "we hope pilot details continue to grow as we learn more and receive additional feedback."