Jakarta, INTI - Google is making changes to Android’s phone and tablet application system, Google Play Store, by allowing easier access for competitors and lower fees for app developers. The change is a response to antitrust litigation in the United States and to comply with new regulations in Europe and other regions.
“These announcements are not about just doing what’s required,” said Sameer Samat, Google’s VP of Product Development, in an interview with Bloomberg News. He added that the changes go “well beyond” what is being required by legal changes in Europe and the UK.
Samat explained that after the changes, other companies can register with Google, pay a one-time fee, and launch their own app stores on Android devices. This shift allows competing marketplaces to distribute apps directly on Android phones and tablets.
Google will also reduce app developer fees for subscriptions, from standard 30% commission to as low as 15% or even 10% in some cases. The updated fee is expected to roll out by June in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Similar changes will be applied for Australia, South Korea, and Japan before the end of 2026.
Changes in Play Store Come After Litigation and New Regulations
The changes come after Google faced antitrust pressure and regulatory scrutiny in several regions. In 2023, a US jury ruled that some Android policies violated antitrust law in a case brought by Epic Games. The decision pushed Google to change its policies to allow rival app stores to access its app catalogs.
Regulators in Europe and the UK have also pushed for changes. In 2025, the European Commission accused Google of violating the EU’s Digital Markets Act by limiting how developers direct users to alternative offers. Meanwhile, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority has increased supervision to limit Google’s power in the mobile platform market, after it was designated as having Strategic Market Status.
Despite legal and regulatory pressures, Samat said the changes in the developer fee structure were voluntary. The changes were not required by the US court ruling or by legislation in other markets, but were introduced as an effort for a broader Android ecosystem.
Conclusion
Google is making changes to Google Play Store policies by allowing competitors to access its app catalog and reducing fees for app developers. The changes come after legal and regulatory pressures. However, Sameer Samat, Google’s VP of Product Development, said the developer fee adjustments were made for a better Android ecosystem.
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