Rumor: Google cuts Play Store fees for small developers

Google would lower the payment for some developers in the Play Store from 30 to 15 percent. That is what the South Korean press agency Yonhap claims. It only concerns developers who earn less than a million dollars a year from the download store.

The change will take effect in July, Yonhap claims, citing sources around the South Korean government. The reduction in developer contributions is said to have come about under pressure from the South Korean government. It’s unclear if it would only involve South Korean developers; the one million dollar limit, instead of a limit in Korean won, seems to indicate that Google is thinking of an international guideline.

If Google takes that step, it will follow Apple, which also took that step last year. At Apple, smaller developers have to sign up for a program, with which Apple lowers the payment. It’s unclear how Google will put that into practice. Google has not yet responded to the rumor.