[Software] Google permits alternative billing system, but developers cry foul; Uber looks to partner with private taxi operators

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Claiming to follow the mandate laid down by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), tech giant Google has told developers that they have time till April 26 to comply with the new Google Play payments policy which will permit alternative billing.

Google said this was being done in response to the recent regulatory developments in the country.

More options: "This change means that developers can now offer an alternative billing system, alongside Google Play's billing system. to users in India making in-app purchases within Play-distributed apps on mobile phones and tablets," the search giant said in an email reviewed by ET.

South Korea way: Developers, however, said this was a direct violation of CCI guidelines and alleged that Google was 'finding loopholes' in the CCI's verdict and 'going the South Korea way' wherein they introduced user choice billing after coming under fire from regulatory authorities in South Korea.

Violation of mandate: “The CCI mandated that they should permit third-party payments but in doing this Google is ensuring that the payments are routed through them. It is exactly what they did in South Korea by launching user-choice billing after the South Korean authorities mandated that they should allow users multiple payment options,” Snehil Khanor, cofounder and chief executive of TrulyMadly.com, told us.

Catch-up quick: The CCI in its two rulings — one on October 20 and the second on October 25 — had directed the American company to make close to 20 changes in the operation of its services in India which included providing alternative payment options to developers.