Google Changes Terms to 'Apply Third-Party Payment System'... "No In-App Payment Enforcement"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Google has decided to change its terms and conditions to allow application (app) developers and users to choose and use third-party payment systems in addition to Google in-app payments.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced on the 4th that Chairman Han Sang-hyuk received Google's payment policy change plan during a meeting with Wilson White, Head of Global Policy at Google Play.

This meeting was requested by Google and was arranged to explain specific implementation plans and schedules ahead of resubmitting the implementation plan. Previously, on the 25th of last month, the KCC had requested Google and Apple to resubmit their implementation plans to comply with the so-called 'Google Gapjil Prevention Act (Amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act),' which prohibits app market operators from forcing specific payment methods.

Wilson White, Head of Policy, stated that a new in-app payment policy has been prepared to comply with the amended law and explained the purpose of this new policy and specific implementation measures.

According to the revised policy, developers can provide a third-party payment system of their choice within the app in addition to Google's in-app payment system. Users will be able to choose between third-party payments or Google in-app payments according to their preference.

When using third-party payments, a lower commission rate than Google Play payments will be applied, and to comply with the amended law, the terms will specify that this policy will be implemented only in Korea.

Google plans to expedite related procedures to implement the new payment policy as soon as possible. The specific application date will be announced separately in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.