Google to allow alternative payment systems for Play Store in the UK, what it means

In June 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into payment systems for in-app purchases through Google Play on Android devices. In September last year, the company announced that it was expanding the user choice billing program for Play Store to India, Australia, Indonesia, Japan and the European Economic Area. Now the company has rolled out the user choice billing in the UK.

What is the new billing system?

The new system will enable users to choose alternative payment systems for in-app purchases on the Play Store. Google said that the development comes after “constructive conversations” with the CMA and the set of “potential commitments” in relation to the billing policies in the UK are aimed at resolving the CMA’s investigation.