Google revises Google Play terms after EU pressure

[Google Cloud]
400tmax/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Alphabet's (NASDAQ:GOOG [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GOOG]) (NASDAQ:GOOGL [https://seekingalpha.com/symbol/GOOGL]) Google will make it easier for app developers to steer customers to platforms other than Google, after the European Commission found that the company allegedly breached EU's rules.

Google said [https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16505463?sjid=17826805797615436734-NA] in a blog post that it as part of its continued compliance with the EU Digital Markets Act, or DMA, it has made additional updates to its external offers program to offer more flexibility for developers while balancing trust and safety needs across the ecosystem. Developers must meet eligibility requirements, and complete their enrollment in this program before promoting external offers.

"While we still have concerns that these changes could expose Android users to harmful content and make the app experience worse, we're updating our External Offers Program for the EU with revised fees and more options for Android developers, following DMA discussions with the European Commission," said Clare Kelly, senior Competition Counsel, EMEA, Google, in an emailed statement to Seeking Alpha.

In March, the EU competition watchdog found [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4422220-eu-says-google-in-breach-of-dma-for-two-services-apple-must-take-certain-steps-to-comply] Google failed to comply with the the region's DMA for two services. Firstly, the Commission said parent Alphabet treats Google Shopping, Hotels, Flights, etc., "more favorably" in search results versus services offered by third parties and gives "more prominent treatment" to its own offerings.

In addition, the EC said the company's app store Google Play prevents developers from steering customers to offers and distribution channels of their choice and unjustly charges them for customer acquisition.

_Update: The story was updated with a statement from Google._

MORE ON ALPHABET

* Alphabet: Still Underestimated On All Fronts [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4814345-alphabet-still-underestimated-on-all-fronts]
* Alphabet Rewrites The AI Playbook [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4813642-alphabet-rewrites-ai-playbook]
* After Revisiting Google's Moat, I've Decided To Never Sell Again [https://seekingalpha.com/article/4813129-after-revisiting-googles-moat-ive-decided-to-never-sell-again]
* Streaming makes up for about half of all TV viewing - Nielsen [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4486952-streaming-makes-up-for-about-half-of-all-tv-viewing---nielsen]
* Google picks Tennessee as site for first small modular reactor; energy coming in 2030 [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4486561-google-picks-tennessee-as-site-for-first-small-modular-reactor-energy-coming-in-2030]