Google extends Play Store billing deadline for developers
NEW DELHI: Google on Friday said it is deferring the deadline for developers in India to integrate with its Play billing system from March 2022 to October next year.
In October last year, the company had announced March 31, 2022 as the deadline for developers in India to integrate with Play’s billing system.
A Google spokesperson on Friday said the extension has been done in view of the changes to India’s recurring digital payments guidelines.
“We are extending this to October 31, 2022 to provide developers in India the required product support for recurring payments through convenient user payment systems, including UPI and wallets, and also provide them more time in light of the changes to India’s recurring digital payments guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that Google recognises the unique needs of the developer ecosystem in India and remains committed to partnering with developers in India on their growth journey. In past, Indian developers and startups have raised concerns around Google’s Play billing system, saying the tech giant cannot force Indian app developers/owners to sell digital services by compulsorily using its billing system.
Google had previously stated that apps that choose to sell digital content through its Play Store have to use Google Play billing system and pay a percentage of the in-app purchase as a fee. It had given time until September 30, 2021 to complete the necessary updates.
However, it extended the deadline to March 31, 2022 after concerns were raised by the developer community in India.
The tech giant has emphasised that its payments policy is not new and it has always required developers who distribute their apps on Play, to use Google Play’s billing system if they offer in-app purchases of digital goods.