Google has announced changes to its Play Store rules in an effort to appease the European Commission and dodge Digital Markets Act (DMA) fines.

The [1]changes will give developers more flexibility in choosing the links they display and the fee model they use. In essence, developers can direct users away from Google's ecosystem for app purchases. However, there is a catch.

Google has made changes to its fee structure. The initial acquisition fee has been reduced to 3 percent and will only last for six months after a user installs an app. The ongoing service fee, on the other hand, is now tiered. Tier 1, which is required, is "for essential services that developers need in order to have a safe and reliable app" – stuff like security scanning and app reviews. Tier 2, which is optional, is more about promotion, distribution, and management.

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The charges for the tiers vary [3]based on country . For example, a game downloaded from a link for a user in Ireland will incur a fee of €1.90 under Tier 2 compared to €0.20 in Albania. According to Google, "this ensures that Play is compensated for the value it provides to the Play app, such as services designed to keep Play users safe and platform tools for managing their Play app."

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The reaction to Google's changes has been mixed. Corey Quinn of The Duckbill Group [6]said : "'Google proposes being less of a dick' is the actual story here. Imagine what we could build if companies weren't out to screw everyone who they engage with for every last cent."

[7]Court upholds Epic win in Google Play Store antitrust battle

[8]EU Advocate General advises top court to toss Google appeal against €4B fine

[9]Google faces billion-quid bruising over Play Store fees in the UK

[10]EU says Google scroogles app makers, also gives Apple an antitrust must-do-list

Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney, who is no stranger to software store shenanigans, [11]called the changes a "malicious compliance effort in the European Union."

"Now competing app payments are allowed but rendered uncompetitive by junk fees and discriminatory deprioritization of search results."

However, Google expressed concerns about even the limited steps it has taken. Clare Kelly, Senior Competition Counsel for EMEA at Google, warned: "We still have concerns that these changes could expose Android users to harmful content and make the app experience worse."

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Still, the company will bravely press ahead. "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."

A spokesperson for the European Commission told The Register it had taken note of the announcement, and "it is for Alphabet to ensure compliance with the DMA." Alphabet is Google's parent company.

While the spokesperson could not comment on the details of the announcement or if it complied with the DMA, they said: "The Commission will assess the revised compliance solution and will continue its dialogue with Alphabet, also taking into account input provided by interested third parties." ®

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[1] https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16505463

[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2aKXxGNJAbqbT_UXxyh7NzgAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0

[3] https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/answer/16505463#fixed_fees_for_app_downloads

[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aKXxGNJAbqbT_UXxyh7NzgAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[5] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33aKXxGNJAbqbT_UXxyh7NzgAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[6] https://bsky.app/profile/quinnypig.com/post/3lwrckvzops2j

[7] https://www.theregister.com/2025/08/01/epic_google_verdict_affirmed/

[8] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/19/eu_court_advises_googles_appeal/

[9] https://www.theregister.com/2025/06/12/google_play_store_fees/

[10] https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/19/google_apple_dma_eu/

[11] https://x.com/timsweeneyepic/status/1958080758909923620

[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/applications&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44aKXxGNJAbqbT_UXxyh7NzgAAAJI&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0

[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/