Kakao confirms it is removing its external payment option after standoff with Google  – TechCrunch

South Korean messaging big Kakao confirmed at this time it is going to take away an exterior fee possibility after Google blocked the South Korean firm behind KakaoTalk from issuing updates. 

Kakao continued utilizing an exterior fee hyperlink in its Android app in opposition to Google’s new in-app fee guidelines. Whereas the app’s updates have been suspended on June 30, the native stories in regards to the KakaoTalks’ updates being blocked on the Play Retailer solely emerged final week.

Kakao informed TechCrunch that it determined to take away the exterior hyperlink for customers’ comfort.  

The choice got here every week after Kakao held discussions with South Korea Communications Fee (KCC) and Google final Thursday (July 7). The corporate didn’t make the choice of eradicating the hyperlink at the moment when TechCrunch requested early this week.  

South Korea turned the primary nation to impose curbs on Google and Apple’s fee insurance policies that drive builders to solely use their very own billing techniques. The invoice, additionally known as the Anti-Google legislation, was handed by the South Korean parliament in August final yr.

South Korean builders can use third-party fee techniques, however can’t use hyperlinks to redirect clients to a different web site. Google’s new coverage requires builders promoting digital items and companies to make use of its personal billing system. Which means Google doesn’t permit builders so as to add hyperlinks to their app that allow customers bypass Google’s billing system. 

On April 1, Google mentioned all apps should both use Google’s personal fee possibility with the 15-30% in commissions or the apps that might provide a third-party system for 26% commissions. Google additionally mentioned apps could possibly be eliminated in the event that they fail to adjust to its new in-app guidelines, beginning June 1. 

The KCC, which informed TechCrunch in April that blocking app builders from utilizing the weblink fee possibility would breach South Korea’s app fee legislation, reportedly will begin an investigation into Google’s billing coverage.