Google suspends Play Store billing requirements in India after an antitrust order

Google has suspended the enforcement of its policy that requires developers to use Play Store’s billing platform for user transactions in India, following an order from the country’s antitrust regulator.

The Android maker updated a support webpage to reveal the change and stated that in-app purchases made outside of India still require the use of Google Play’s billing system.

Last Wednesday, the Competition Commission of India ordered Google to not restrict third-party payment processors for in-app purchases or purchasing apps via the Play Store. The antitrust watchdog also punished the company $113 millions for abusing its dominant position in the country’s Play Store.

“Following CCI’s recent decision, we are suspending enforcement of the requirement that developers use Google Play’s bill system to purchase digital goods and services by users in India,” said the company. It also stated that it was reviewing its legal options in India, suggesting that it might challenge the decision of the competition regulator.

Google previously extended the deadline to comply with its Play Store billing requirements in the South Asian market up to October 31..

The regulator made its decision after speaking with a variety of smartphone manufacturers and industry leaders, including Samsung, Xiaomi, and Microsoft. Another $162million fine was imposed on Google for anticompetitive Android practices.

Several countries are also concerned about the Google Play Store’s billing system. The company charges developers a commission for processing payments. Google has begun testing other payment methods for the Play Store in India, South Korea and Australia.