Disney approaches Madras High Court in Google in-app billing challenge

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Disney has approached the Madras High Court in an ongoing legal challenge against Google's in-app billing system, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. Disney joins several startups including Unacademy, Kuku FM, TrulyMadly and QuackQuack which have moved the court challenging Google’s notice asking them to either adopt the company’s mandated billing route or risk being removed from its Play Store, ET had reported.

Following this, the Madras High Court had directed Google not to delist any of the companies that have filed petitions against it from the company’s Play Store, extending an interim injunction. The streaming giant's move comes weeks after four more companies — streaming player Altt, audiobook portal Pratilipi, art and design platform Crafto and Tamil publisher Ananda Vikatan — approached the HC seeking relief against Google's payment policy implementation.

One of the emails from Google read, «Your app uses a non-Google Play billing system to accept payment for access to in-app features or services including any app functionality, digital content or goods (collectively ‘in app purchases’). Your app may be removed from our distribution, limited on Google Play if you do not resolve this issue.» Sources had told ET that Disney+ Hotstar received a notice from Google and it may approach courts seeking a stay on Google’s directions.