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Experts “Mobile content prices will increase” … Google “You can use other app markets”
Google has decided to enforce a plan next year that applies a 30% fee to the payment amount for all apps and content sold in its app market.
Google announced on the 29th that “applications that provide IAP for digital goods among applications distributed through Google Play must use the Google Play payment system.”
◇ A 30% commission is applied to practically all payments made on Google Play
Newly registered applications on Google Play will be required to apply in-app payment on Google Play from January 20 of next year and from October of next year for existing applications.
This means that a 30% fee applies to virtually all payments made on Google Play.
In-app payments are currently required for games only, and other apps like music and webtoons allow some of their own payment methods, but other methods will be excluded next year.
Google explained: “This makes it possible to continue investing in the platform and through this business model Google Play and the developers are looking for shared growth.”
◇ The negative reaction of the national IT industry “is not ‘application toll'” … Popularity Association “Is not YouTube free of fees?”
However, the national mobile content industry is very concerned and says: “The global giant platform will eventually force the ‘application toll’.”
Apple has already forced in-app payments for all apps, taking 30% of their sales as commission.
Google’s policy change will be the same as Apple’s, but the reason Google’s move has been particularly strong is because Google’s share of the domestic mobile content market is much higher.
According to the Korea Mobile Industry Federation, the payment amount for Google Play in Korea last year was 5,999.6 billion won, and the market share reached 63.4%.
The Korea Internet Business Association, which is an association of Naver and Kakao, released a statement that day, saying, “Google should stop trying to build a ‘Google’s own world’ in the Internet ecosystem.” It is impossible to grow together ”, he criticized.
Popularity Hyup said: “Google Play has secured a market share thanks to app providers who relied on Google’s open policy. Google is trying to subordinate app providers and users by exploiting its market dominance, which is negative for the entire ecosystem “. It was pointed out that it was unfair to deprive operators and users of the choice. “
At the same time, the Popular Association said that “if a 30% fee is mandatory for services such as music, books, webtoons and videos, they have no choice but to quit the business or move the fee to the service fee.” It’s free, so you’ll dominate the service by gaining an advantage in price competitiveness. “
The Korea Startup Forum, a popular association and startup organization, reported to the Korea Communications Commission last month, saying, “Please check the mandatory payment law in the Google app.”
Consequently, President Han Sang-hyuk attended the National Assembly on the 2nd of this month and said: “According to the Telecommunications Business Law, it is considered as ‘an act of improper imposition of unreasonable or discriminatory conditions or restrictions.’ “.
Chairman Han also said, “Apple had the ability to select from the beginning of the service, but there is a difference that Google applies it after securing market power.”
◇ In the end, only consumers are worried about the harm … Google “You can use other app marketplaces or web payments”
Experts fear that it is the consumer who will eventually suffer the damage.
This is because if in-app payment and 30% commission are applied, content companies are very likely to reflect the commission burden on consumer prices.
A content industry official said: “If the price is high, consumers will only leave the main apps that are hard to delete like Naver and Kakao and delete the rest,” expressing concern that “the ‘rich, rich , poor and industrial poor ‘will become severe.’
Economist Moon Seong-bae, a professor at Kookmin University, said at a recent discussion meeting: “Because Google and Apple take all consumer purchasing information, it is possible to restrict potential developers from entering the market by launching similar applications or services “. I can take it, “he observed.
Some in legal and industry circles have raised concerns that once the government’s regulatory sheet turns to Google, regulation will one day return to the national platform like a ‘boomerang’.
There is also the possibility that, in the end, years of court battles are inevitable because the positions of Google and the national authorities and the industry are markedly different.
Google held an online conference with Korean reporters on this day, emphasizing that Android devices do not necessarily allow users to use content through Google Play.
Unlike Apple’s iOS, Google Android can use native app marketplaces such as One Store and Galaxy Store, and will not block other app or payment marketplaces on the web.
Funima Kochika, Head of Global Games and Applications Business Development at Google Play, said: “(The policy change) is for a sustainable ecosystem. Our platform provides an opportunity for application and content providers to enter the global market of 2 1 billion people in 190 countries. I’m doing it, “he said over and over again.
/ yunhap news
