For over 20 years, Google has been fostering a vibrant technology ecosystem in India, and our commitment remains unwavering. We believe deeply in India’s potential as a global innovation hub and are honored to play our role in India’s thriving digital economy through continued investment. For example, Android and Google Play have helped India transform into an app-first digital economy, providing unprecedented choice to millions of mobile users and supporting India’s innovative startup and developer sector. We have been supporting this.
Google Play invests heavily in supporting Indian developers, large and small, at every stage of app development to unlock innovation, acquire and engage users, and scale to users around the world. We provide important tools and services to help you.
Today, Indian developers are enjoying global success on Google Play. Comprehensive support for Android and Play ecosystem 2.5 million jobs in India in 2022. This success is the result of investments in platforms, tools, and resources that enable developer growth. It also helps you invest in protections to protect users across the ecosystem, even for apps downloaded from outside the Play Store, providing a level of openness and developer choice not found on other platforms. , and enable vigilance.
To continue our efforts, Google Play charges a service fee when developers sell in-app digital goods. We have always evolved our business model to suit the needs of the ecosystem and always complied with local regulations. Our tiered pricing program benefits Indian developers. Only 3% of Indian developers sell digital goods and services and therefore have to pay service fees, with the majority paying less than 15%, which is a major lowest price of any global app store. in fact, In India, fewer than 60 Google Play developers will be charged fees of more than 15%..
Apply policies fairly across the ecosystem
More than 200,000 Indian developers use Google Play today, and they adhere to our policies and help ensure a secure platform. but, over a long period of time 10 companies, including many established companies, have chosen not to pay for the tremendous value they get on Google Play By securing interim protection from the courts. These developers adhere to other app stores’ payment policies.
We have always respected local laws. Over the years, no court or regulator has denied Google Play the right to charge for the value and services it provides. On February 9, the Supreme Court also refused to interfere with our rights. Some developers who have been denied interim protection have begun to participate fairly in our business model and ecosystem, while others have chosen to find ways not to participate.
We always work with developers to support them through policy and try to find workable solutions, but this small group of developers is the majority paying their fair share. This allows them to receive discriminatory treatment from developers. creating an uneven playing field across the ecosystem It puts all other apps and games at a competitive disadvantage.
After providing these developers with More than 3 years in preparation (including 3 weeks after Supreme Court order)we take the necessary steps to ensure that our policies are applied consistently across our ecosystem, just as we do for all forms of policy violations around the world. .
Where appropriate, enforcement of our policies may include removing non-compliant apps from Google Play. Developers can choose one of three billing options as part of their payment policy to resubmit their app to be featured on Play:
- Operate with Pay-as-you-go basis without paying service feesEven if it’s part of a paid service. This option allows developers to allow app users to access content they have paid for outside of the app.
- Integrate Google Play billing systemThis makes it easy to transact with millions of customers around the world, providing users with secure payment methods and the ability to centrally manage their payments.
- I will provide a Alternative billing system Alongside Google Play for Indian users. If the user chooses a different billing system, the charges will be reduced by an additional 4%. App developers expanding into international markets can also sign up as part of the User Choice Billing Pilot, currently available in 35 markets.
In the meantime, these developers still have other options for running their businesses on Android, such as distributing through alternative Android app stores or directly via websites. Existing users can continue to access the app without interruption. We also continue to provide support to help developers stay compliant.
Our commitment to investing in India’s digital future is unwavering, and our continued investment in bringing the best available technology into our ecosystem is a testament to our commitment. We look forward to continuing our work with the entire ecosystem to ensure the long-term viability of these initiatives in India.
