Google proposes allowing Android developers to use alternative billing systems

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has invited developers and interested parties to respond to Google's proposal to allow Android developers to use alternative billing systems.

“Google’s complete control over in-app payments raised concerns this unfairly restricted app developers – by forcing them to use Google Play’s billing system – putting distance between them and their customers and reducing competition, to the detriment of Google Play users,” said...

20 April 2023 | Android

Apple allows subscription price increases without explicit consent

Apple is changing its policy around auto-renewing subscriptions; allowing them to be increased in price without explicit user consent.

Under the previous policy, a user would be alerted to the price change and have to manually accept any increase. Failing to accept the new pricing would result in the subscription being automatically cancelled at the next renewal.

The new approach still alerts users to price changes but no longer requires the user to opt-in before it...

17 May 2022 | App Stores

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey demos LDK for supporting fast Bitcoin payments

Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has demonstrated the Lightning Development Kit (LDK), a solution to help developers support fast Bitcoin payments via mobile and point-of-sale terminals.

Dorsey stepped down from Twitter to focus his efforts on Block (formerly Square) which, as a group, is aiming to boost the adoption of Bitcoin as a payment method.

The company’s Square Crypto project was rebranded to Spiral. The company is developing the LDK to enable developers to...

7 December 2021 | API

Apple is fighting Russia’s decision to let developers promote alternative payments

Apple is requesting a judicial review of Russia’s decision that developers must be allowed to promote alternative payment options.

In August, the country’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) issued a warning to Apple that clause 3.1 of the App Store Guidelines – which prohibits iOS app developers from informing in-app users about the possibility to pay for their purchases outside the App Store – breaches Russian antimonopoly legislation.

FAS gave Apple until 30...

6 December 2021 | App Stores