Google announces compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the European Union, which will come into effect this week. Regarding third-party app stores on the Android operating system, Google states that no adjustments are needed as they currently allow third-party app stores and app installation via sideloading. Moreover, Android 14 will enhance features for third-party app stores to update installed apps more easily.
As for alternative billing, Google has agreed to allow it since 2022 and will enable apps in the gaming category to display two payment methods for user-choice billing this week. In terms of promoting alternative payment methods within apps, Google already permits it, but will now extend to apps distributing on the Play Store.
Other products, apart from Google Play Store, adjusted in accordance with the DMA include:
– Android enhancing the choice screen for search engines/browsers when initially setting up the device, making it more user-friendly, introduced since 2019.
– Search displaying search results for certain categories, such as hotels or products, from comparison sites more prominently to address the EU’s fine in 2017 for favoring its comparison services over others. Consequently, Google will remove price data from its own services like Google Flights from search results.
Google Account now allows users to disconnect data sharing between Google services such as Search, YouTube, Google Play, Chrome, Google Maps, and Google Shopping. This ensures that each Google service operates independently in terms of user data, preventing cross-advertising.
TLDR: Google complies with the Digital Markets Act of the EU, allowing third-party app stores on Android and enhancing user choices for billing. They also improve search result displays and enable more control over data sharing within Google services.
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