According to PANews, the Indonesian antitrust agency, KPPU, has fined Google 2.025 trillion Indonesian Rupiah (approximately $12.6 million) for monopolistic practices related to its Google Play Store payment system. The KPPU has ordered Google to cease enforcing the use of the Google Play Billing (GPB) system and to allow all developers to participate in the User Choice Billing (UCB) program. Additionally, Google must offer at least a 5% service fee discount within one year of the ruling's enactment.
The investigation, which began in 2022, revealed that Google compelled Indonesian developers to use the GPB system, charging fees as high as 30% while prohibiting alternative payment options. This practice reportedly led to a decrease in users, reduced transaction volumes, and financial losses for developers. Google intends to appeal the decision, asserting that its current practices support healthy competition within Indonesia's app ecosystem.
Google has faced similar fines and regulatory scrutiny for anti-competitive behavior in India, South Korea, and the European Union. Japan's antitrust agency may be the next to rule against Google for violating antitrust laws.