'Google Play's service fee has never been simply a fee for payment processing, and even when a user chooses an alternative billing system, developers receive significant value from Google Play and Android. Two founders, who are part of these discussions, told Mint that they are exploring all legal avenues which include filing another complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), going to courts, and meeting with the government. Startup founders and industry stakeholders held a meeting on February 27 to discuss possible ways forward. Under the new policy, if users choose third-party billing, app developers still have to pay 11% and 26%, respectively. Google charges 15% for using its own billing systems for any payments on apps earning less than $1 million in revenue annually.

However, startups are crying foul, accusing the company of overcharging for these payments. The policy allows all companies selling digital items and subscriptions through the Play Store to integrate billing methods other than Google’s built in systems. Google, on February 24, opened its alternative billing policy to all developers in India. Startups and developers are considering taking legal action against Android maker Google once again for the fee the tech giant charges for digital items sold through the Play Store.

Google playstore