The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) intends to accept commitments from Google designed to address concerns about competition within the Android app ecosystem, the CMA announced today, February 10, 2026. The move potentially resolves a long-running investigation initiated in June 2022, focusing on Google Play’s policies regarding in-app purchases and the mandatory use of Google Play Billing.
The core of the CMA’s investigation centered on whether requiring developers to utilize Google’s payment system constituted an abuse of Google’s dominant position in the Android market, effectively imposing a commission – described as a “tax” – on developers for reaching Android users. Google has consistently maintained that its developer practices are “fair, objective, and transparent.”
In a statement released today, Google indicated its willingness to collaborate with the CMA. “While we believe Play’s existing developer practices are fair, objective, and transparent, we welcome the opportunity to resolve the CMA’s concerns collaboratively,” the company said. The proposed commitments will focus on increasing transparency surrounding app review processes, ranking algorithms, and data usage policies, aiming to provide developers with a clearer understanding of factors influencing their app’s performance on the Google Play Store.
These commitments build upon previous efforts to satisfy regulators. In April 2023, Google proposed allowing developers to utilize alternative billing systems, either alongside Google Play Billing (User Choice Billing or UCB) or exclusively (Developer-only Billing or DOB), with corresponding adjustments to commission fees.
Google’s mobile ecosystem is a significant contributor to the UK economy, generating over £9.9 billion in revenue for developers and supporting more than 457,000 jobs, according to Google. The company emphasized its commitment to fostering a platform where both developers and users can thrive.
The CMA’s decision follows a similar agreement reached with Apple regarding changes to its app store practices, signaling a broader effort to address the dominance of major technology companies in the mobile market. Both Apple and Google have agreed to ensure app reviews are conducted in a “fair, objective and transparent way,” without favoring their own applications.
Apple has stated its app review function will be handled by a dedicated team separate from those working on its own apps and services. Google affirmed it will continue to engage with the CMA on behalf of developers, device manufacturers, and Android users worldwide.
