EU antitrust regulators have requested app builders whether or not Alphabet unit Google’s risk to take away apps from its Play Store in the event that they use different cost choices as an alternative of its personal billing system has damage their enterprise, two individuals accustomed to the matter informed Reuters.

Critics say charges charged by Google and Apple at their cellular app shops are extreme and value builders collectively billions of {dollars} a yr, an indication of the 2 firms’ monopoly energy.

Questionnaires had been despatched to builders final month, the individuals stated.

Of the 16 questions within the doc, some lined the interval 2017-2021 and others 2019-2021. The European Commission declined to remark. Google didn’t reply to an emailed request for remark.

The US tech big has stated apps could be faraway from its app retailer beginning June this yr if builders don’t use its billing system.

Respondents had been requested whether or not Google’s coverage change this yr impacted the distribution of their items or companies on Google Play Store, which apps had been affected and if it affected their potential to amass customers on Android gadgets, the individuals stated.

Regulators wished to know if the change has compelled builders to drop different cost choices in favour of Google Billing and whether or not migrating customers to a different cost choice affected the variety of pre-existing customers and the builders’ entry to information.

Developers had been requested whether or not they believed they might supply a greater service or product if they’ve the choice of one other cost system.

The EU competitors enforcer additionally wished to know if Google allowed them to make use of an alternate cost system, charged a service payment for this or complained in regards to the safety of their cost technique.

App builders had been requested if US funds big Stripes, Dutch cost system Adyen and PayPal unit Braintree are seen as various cost techniques.

Last month, Google stated non-gaming app builders can swap to rival cost techniques with a decrease payment of 12 % as an alternative of 15 %, with the transfer making use of to European customers, so as to adjust to EU guidelines that may come into power subsequent yr.

Politico first reported in regards to the Commission’s question.

© Thomson Reuters 2022