Google to allow alternative payment system from next month in S Korea

Google has announced that it will provide an alternative payment system at its app store in South Korea from next month in an apparent move to follow the country’s new law that bans app market operators from forcing the use of their own payment systems.

“Developers can now accept payments for in-app purchases from mobile and tablet users in South Korea with an alternative in-app billing system in addition to Google Play’s billing system,” said a latest post on the Google Play Policies website.

The changed policy, which takes effect from December 18, will give choice to local app developers between a third-party payment system and its own in-app billing system at its Google Play Store.