The Russian authorities ordered Google to allow third-party payments on Google Play. What will change now

For several months now, Android users from Russia have no longer been able to pay for applications, in-app purchases and Google Play subscriptions. Google just took and turned off any means of payment for the Russians. She blocked not only cards and PayPal, which also left the Russian market, but also Qiwi, and all other methods that were previously available without restrictions. That is, unlike the App Store, whose account can still be recharge from mobile phone, in Google Play you can not pay in any way. But, if there were third-party payment systems in the catalog, everything would be different.

ПОДПИШИСЬ НА НАШ ЯНДЕКС.ДЗЕН И ЧИТАЙ ЭКСКЛЮЗИВНЫЕ СТАТЬИ, КОТОРЫЕ НЕ ВЫХОДЯТ НА САЙТЕ

Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation obligated google add Google Play alternative payment systems. In this case, we are not talking about methods as such, but about acquiring systems that process payments. If now the search giant is doing this exclusively on its own, for which it takes a commission of 15-30%, then according to the new rules, the company should allow developers to accept payments through third-party systems.

Payment on Google Play

If Google does not comply, the FAS will initiate a case, and the company will face a large fine

Before making a final decision, FAS has been investigating for several months. The department’s experts had to find out if the lack of alternative processing systems violates payments on Google Play user rights. The audit showed that they were violating, depriving them of the opportunity not to pay a commission in a strictly defined amount, which Google set without providing its customers in the absence of alternatives.

Now Google has a period of one month to eliminate the violation. If the company does not comply with the FAS requirement until August 4, it will be prosecuted antitrust case. What exactly the consequences of non-performance will turn out for Google is still unknown. But Apple was fined 900 million rubles for a similar violation. Hardly Google will be fined for a smaller amount, and, given the resonant nature of the case, perhaps for a larger one.

ПОДПИШИСЬ НА ТЕЛЕГРАМ-КАНАЛ СУНДУК АЛИБАБЫ. РЕБЯТА ЗНАЮТ ТОЛК В КЛАССНЫХ ТОВАРАХ С АЛИЭКСПРЕСС

Google may remedy the violation in any way. The simplest is to allow developers to embed buttons in applications payment and accept payments independently or through third-party payment systems, in fact, acting as online stores themselves. Now this is not possible, and, according to the placement rules software on Google Playany attempts to unauthorizedly accept payments for any services bypassing Google will be punished by deletion.

Whether Google will obey is a rhetorical question. But be that as it may, even after the FAS excites antitrust case in relation to the company and even issue a fine to it, it will have the opportunity to challenge it in court. This is exactly what Apple is doing now, which has pleaded not guilty. The process has been going on since December, and, apparently, is still far from its logical conclusion. So wait for alternatives to appear. payment services on Google Play definitely not worth it in the near future.

What will happen to Google in Russia

If Google complies, users from Russia will be able to pay for any application on Google Play

Although, of course, it would be great. It would change a lot in terms of usage. Google Play in Russia. Local users would once again be able to download paid apps, pay for existing subscriptions that they now have to pay around the corner, and buy paid content as part of apps like currency, additional levels or work tools, if it’s not about games.

However, Google has another chance to get away from FAS requirements. Some people believe that the company will simply refuse to correct violations, go to court, and then either go bankrupt or just will close Google Play. So what? The store belongs to her, which means that she has every right to dispose of it and resolve issues of its presence. And if this helps not create a dangerous precedent, then it is likely that Google Play will really be closed.

У НАС ЕСТЬ КЛАССНЫЙ ЧАТИК В ТЕЛЕГРАМЕ, ГДЕ МЫ ОТВЕЧАЕМ НА ЛЮБЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ ОБ АНДРОИД И ДАЁМ СОВЕТЫ

Do I believe it? Well, for now – let’s be honest – imagine closure of Google Play in Russia pretty hard. Too much effort has been invested in its development, not to mention that by doing so, Google will greatly undermine the authority of Android, which is heavily dependent on the official catalog. In the end, for the company to follow the lead of the Russian authorities means to recognize the supremacy of their laws, and at the same time show everyone else that it was possible to do so.

After all, in fact, if Google makes concessions, a precedent will be created for all other countries. Then, for sure, they will also want to oblige the company to allow alternative means. payment on Google Play. It is clear that Europe is already moving in the same direction, but due to bureaucratic difficulties, it will be more difficult for local authorities to achieve their goal. And if Google allows you to pay bypassing its catalog in Russia, then to be consistent, it will have to do the same in the EU.