Google Delays Mandatory In-App Payment Enforcement by Six Months to End of March Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Google has postponed the mandatory in-app payment implementation to March 31 next year, delaying it by six months.

On the 16th (local time), Google announced this through the Google Android Developer website. It also notified developers who wish to extend the period to request it through customer service by the 22nd. This applies not only to Korea but worldwide.

Google cited the recent COVID-19 situation as the reason for the delay. Funima Kochika, Head of Global Games and Apps Business Development at Google Play, said, "We heard from developers worldwide that last year was particularly difficult," adding, "Especially development teams in regions severely impacted by the global pandemic found it harder than usual to perform the technical updates required for the new payment policy implementation."

He added, "After carefully considering feedback from both large and small developers, we decided to grant a six-month extension opportunity."

Google had initially planned to enforce mandatory in-app payments for all digital content starting January this year but postponed it to October due to industry backlash.

Industry experts interpret Google's latest delay as a move mindful of regulatory actions by governments worldwide. Thirty-six states including Utah and New York, along with Washington D.C., recently filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in the California federal court, and in Korea, the amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act known as the 'Google Gapjil Prevention Act' is about to pass the plenary session.