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Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

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Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#1
How is this legal that if I want to publish an Android app on Play Market and charge for subscriptions, I must use Google Play Billing and pay 30% to Google? This is insane (because there are no alternatives to Play Market).

Is there a way around it? I have a website where you can buy a subscription through Stripe. Can I just redirect to this page from the Android app so they could pay through the web and that would automatically enable their subscription on the app as well?

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#3
There are alternatives to Play market. Play doesn't work at all in China. There is Huawei, Samsung and Xiaomi store, and probably others. Users can also install F-Droid or any other alternative store app.

I don't see why it should be illegal to have fees and terms of use on your platform. Don't like it? Don't use the platform. You're not entitled to others' work.

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#4
>How is this legal that if I want to publish an Android app on Play Market and charge for subscriptions, I must use Google Play Billing and pay 30% to Google? This is insane

It's bad for the developer, sure, but what exactly is "insane" or "illegal" about it? They have created a product marketplace, and they let you sell there, and you must abide by their rules.

If you want to sell on Gumroad or similar services you also need to use their payment processor of choice, and give them a cut. If you want to sell on Ebay, you also need to use their payment processors of choice (and originally, iirc, you only had the option to use PayPal) and give them a cut.

And of course check the rules for selling your console game. They are 10x more restrive, and have been since forever. Not only you have to use the console markers marketplace, billing system, and pay a cut, for many wont even be able to do that, unless they accept your game.

The thing is, you don't "have" to sell in Play Market - even if it was the only marketplace for Android, it would still not be some basic necessity of life that you sell apps for Android. You could always find another trade, or sell PC software, or whatever. In other words, a marketplace for a mobile OS is not exactly a public utility.

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#6
post #5

I am often directed out of the app to make payments via a browser (particularly well known streaming apps).

That’s the thing, though: By the letter of Google’s rules that’s not allowed, as far as I know.

But apparently not all developers/anpp publishers are treated the same. Another example of that: https://techcrunch.com/2023/11/20/google-admits-spotify-pays...

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#7
post #4

> How is this legal that if I want to publish an Android app on Play Market and charge for subscriptions, I must use Google Play Billing and pay 30% to Google? This is insane It's bad for the developer, sure, but what exactly is "insane" or "illegal" about it? They have created a product marketplace, and they let you sell there, and you must abide by their rules. If you want to sell on Gumroad or similar services you…

> In other words, a marketplace for a mobile OS is not exactly a public utility.

Some jurisdictions would disagree on that, most notably the EU.

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#8
You might be interested in the upcoming Digital Markets Act by the EU that is built to address this among other things.

https://digital-markets-act.ec.europa.eu/index_en

Notably you can check out their list of gatekeeper services

https://digital-markets-act-cases.ec.europa.eu/gatekeepers

Re: Ask HN: How is this legal that you must use Google Billing for Android apps?

#10
post #7
post #4

> How is this legal that if I want to publish an Android app on Play Market and charge for subscriptions, I must use Google Play Billing and pay 30% to Google? This is insane It's bad for the developer, sure, but what exactly is "insane" or "illegal" about it? They have created a product marketplace, and they let you sell there, and you must abide by their rules. If you want to sell on Gumroad or similar services you…

> In other words, a marketplace for a mobile OS is not exactly a public utility. Some jurisdictions would disagree on that, most notably the EU.

>Some jurisdictions would on that, most notably the EU.

You accidentally a word.

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