Review follows investigation into whether Google unfairly limited developers.
Google has announced changes to its Android policies in response to ongoing scrutiny under the EU's Digital Markets Act.
In an aim to ease restrictions for app developers directing users outside the Play Store, Cybernews reports that the European Commission has long investigated whether Google unfairly limited developers from pointing consumers to cheaper alternatives and charged excessive fees for external acquisitions.
In a blog post, the company said it will reduce fees and provide “more flexibility” while balancing user safety. This includes:
- More developer flexibility to direct users from their app via actionable links, with more options to conclude contracts for their offers as well as the ability to link to enable download of their apps.
- Updated fee model for the programme, including reduction of the duration and level of the initial acquisition fee as well as splitting of the ongoing service fee into two tiers for essential and additional services.
Written by
Dan Raywood is a B2B journalist with 25 years of experience, including covering cybersecurity for the past 17 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes.
He has spoken at events including 44CON, Infosecurity Europe, RANT Forum, BSides Scotland, Steelcon and the National Cyber Security Show, and served as editor of SC Media UK, Infosecurity Magazine and IT Security Guru. He was also an analyst with 451 Research and a product marketing lead at Tenable.
