Match Group Inc. announced that Alphabet Inc’s Google will temporarily allow the dating app developer to give customers a variety of payment options.
Match Group Inc. announced that Alphabet Inc.’s Google will temporarily allow the dating app developer to give customers a variety of payment options. Match filed a lawsuit against Google in May, calling it a “last resort” to keep Tinder and its other applications off the Google Play store.
The trial is presently scheduled for April 2024. On Friday, Match said that it had dropped its request for a temporary restraining order against Google after the latter agreed to a number of concessions that would prevent Match’s apps from being deleted from the Google Play store for accepting alternate payment methods. According to Google, Match will have to continue to incorporate Google Play billing during the trial or until the matter is resolved.
According to the lawsuit, Google had said that it would restrict downloads of some of Match’s apps by June 1 unless they only offered Google’s payment method and split revenue. According to the lawsuit, the vast majority of Tinder users prefer Match’s payment system, which allows for installment plans, bank transfers, and other services not available through Google. According to reports, Google stated certain things about the whole situation. Match was allegedly aiming to avoid paying for the enormous value it received, according to Google.
A Google spokesperson made the statement, “We charge for our services, just like any other business, and we safeguard users from fraud, just like any other responsible platform.” It clarified that its payment system helps to prevent any possible fraud. Match highlights in his statement that Google has broken federal and state antitrust laws and explains that he strongly stands against such behavior.
In past stances, it’s seen that some of Match’s apps have been exempt from Google regulations. Highlighting major legal factors, Google has stated that it will restrict downloads of certain apps by the month of June unless they exclusively use its payment system and split revenue. Match Chief Executive Shar Dubey stated, “This action is a measure of last option.” “We attempted to resolve these problems with Google in good faith, but their tenacity and threats forced us to make a decision.”
According to the legal filing, the majority of Tinder users prefer Match’s payment mechanism, which allows for installment plans, bank transfers, and other services not offered by Google. To allay fears, Google has stated that developers can bypass the Play store, that fees have been reduced, and that other initiatives have been started. ACM (Authority for Consumers & Markets) spokesperson Murco Mijnlieff mentioned that “dating-app providers apparently are no longer able to use a payment method other than Google’s payment system.”
A Google spokeswoman responded that the business charges customers a 15% commission for subscriptions purchased through Google Play, which it claims is the “lowest amount among major software platforms.” App distributors can also distribute their apps through other shops or websites, according to the report.
Match said it plans to put up to $40 million into an escrow account as part of the temporary agreement, rather than paying Google directly for billing transactions on the AOS (Android operating system) outside of Google Play store billing. Apple Inc.’s App Store pricing and payment policies have also been criticized by Match. Apple Inc.’s App Store pricing and payment procedures have also been a source of worry for Match
Apple has also been pointed out for turning its App Store into a “walled garden” in order to charge developers for access to iOS customers. Google and Apple levy high commissions and place restrictions on software developers, requiring them to pay a fee when in-app payment methods are employed.
Read More – Tinder owner Match sues Google in ‘last resort’ to avoid app-store booting
