Google Will Allow Match Group to Use Alternate Payment System
- Paul Thurrott
- May 20, 2022
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Match Group announced today that Google has agreed to allow the company to use an alternative payment system for its Android apps in the Google Play Store. This is a major concession from Google that could have ripple effects across the mobile app industry.
“Match Group has withdrawn its request for a temporary restraining order against Google, after Google made various concessions that Match Group demanded to benefit consumers,” the Match Group announcement notes. “Those include guaranteeing that Match Group apps will still be allowed to offer users choice in payment systems, lessening the undue burden on developers by its previously stated policy, and eliminating Google’s complete control over user data.”
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Match Group—which runs Tinder, Match.com, and other services—sued Google earlier this month, alleging that the online giant was abusing its monopoly power by forcing mobile app developers to use Google’s payment system on Android.
In addition to letting Match Group use its own payment system in its mobile apps on Android, Google also agreed to not apps reject or remove any of the company’s apps from the Google Play Store as previously threatened. It will also approve future app updates that offer alternatives to Google Play Billing. And, most interestingly, “Google will work—in good faith—to fix the deficiencies of Google Play Billing.”
Interesting and unexpected. I assume Epic Games is taking note.