Google Play to Stop Paying Russian App Developers
Google is planning to stop processing payments to app developers with bank accounts in Russia. This change will take place on December 26, according to a message from Google shared by Habr, a Russian IT portal.
This move is part of Google’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The company has already taken steps to limit what can be shown on its platforms.
Google says it will block all payments for paid apps and disable in-app purchases in Russian apps. However, the company will pay developers for any money earned by users before the change takes place. This process is expected to be finished by January 15.
This decision comes as Google continues to have issues with Russia’s authorities. A Russian court recently fined Google $2.5 trillion after saying it blocked pro-Kremlin content on YouTube.