Google play store billing row: HC reprieve for Disney+Hotstar

The Madras High Court issued an order on Tuesday preventing Google from removing the Disney+Hotstar streaming service from the Play Store.

According to Reuters, the HC granted Disney+Hotstar an interim injunction and instructed the platform to pay a reduced 4% commission to Google for utilizing its proprietary in-app payments system.
Under the previous Google Billing and Payments System (GBPS), developers were subject to commissions ranging from 15-30%. However, the new user choice billing (UCB) system now allows for a 4% rebate, effectively lowering the rate to approximately 11-26% under the new framework.
During the court proceedings, Disney+Hotstar's legal representatives argued that Google had threatened to take down the streaming app from the Play Store due to non-compliance with the new UCB system, which has been embroiled in legal disputes.
On the preceding Monday, Walt Disney approached the Madras HC to seek a permanent injunction against the new payments policy and protection from potential removal from the Play Store.
By doing so, Disney+Hotstar has joined a litany of Indian companies challenging Google's controversial UCBS. But, this move also sets the stage for a significant showdown with Google.