Google changes Play Store billing and fees as Epic settlement clears Fortnite’s return worldwide
The Facts
- Google announced changes to Play Store billing and developer fees that it said would bring Fortnite back to Google Play worldwide.
- Google said it will allow Android app developers to use their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s billing and to direct users to their own websites for purchases.
- Epic Games sued Google in 2020, alleging Google illegally monopolized how users access apps and make in-app purchases on Android devices.
- Google and Epic Games reached a U.S. court settlement in November to resolve their dispute.
- Google said it is reducing its Play Store commission/service fee to 20% for in-app purchases, with an additional 5% if developers choose to use Google’s billing system.
- Fortnite was removed from Google Play in 2020 after Epic introduced a direct payment option that bypassed Google’s billing system, triggering a legal dispute.
Context
What changes is Google making to billing on Android apps?
Google said developers will be able to use their own billing systems alongside Google Play’s billing and can guide users to their own websites for purchases. Reuters,CNA,Phone Arena
How are Play Store fees changing under the new policy?
Google said it will drop its Play Store commission/service fee to 20% for in-app purchases, and add another 5% if developers opt to use Google’s billing system. TechCrunch,NewsBytes
Why does this affect Fortnite’s availability on Google Play?
Fortnite was removed from Google Play in 2020 after Epic added a direct payment method that bypassed Google’s billing, leading to a legal fight; Google and Epic later reached a settlement, and the new Play Store changes are tied to Fortnite’s return worldwide. CNA,Reuters,TechCrunch
The receipts — 98 sources
Wire services (2)
Independent coverage (96)
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