AMAZON is shaking up its payment model for Android users.
Android users may have noticed a halt in transactions while using select apps from the Amazon family.
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Android users can no longer buy e-books, audiobooks or music from within the Kindle, Audible or the Amazon music app.
Google made a change to their policy that forces developers to process in-app purchases of “digital goods and services” through the Google Play Store.
For a time, Amazon was allowed to collect in-app payments through the Google Play Store – a liberty that was not afforded to just any company.
But Google wants to cut down on Amazon’s free-wheeling and the new policy went into effect June 1.
Under the new policy, Amazon would have to kick up commission fees to Google.
Amazon elected to remove the buying ability altogether, rather than hand a rival a portion of their revenue.
Amazon addressed the changes in a statement.
“To remain in compliance with the Google Play Store policies, you will no longer be able to buy new content from the app. You can build a reading list on the app and buy on Amazon website from your browser.”
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Other brands and companies are not in love with Google’s new policy either.
Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, is suing Google over their demands for a lofty 15% commission.
Google struck back, saying Match Group “is attempting to freeload off our investments rather than being a responsible partner,” in a blog penned by an executive.
Google argues their Google Play Store provides the infrastructure – security, fraud prevention, etc – that make this form of e-commerce possible, therefore they’re entitled to fair service fees.
Amazon’s ability to sell physical goods through the Android is unaffected – but the tech giant will have to find a new way to cash in on downloadable music, books and audiobooks.
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