Google allegedly offered Netflix favourable terms over Play Store fees: Report

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During Apple's trial with Epic, it was revealed Apple attempted to keep Netflix from removing its subscription option from the iOS app by offering better terms, reports AppleInsider.

In an unsealed consumer lawsuit against Google, it appears the search company had the same problem.

A document from the potential class-action lawsuit claims major services including Netflix, Spotify and Tinder wanted to get around Google Play Billing, with Netflix wanting to use an alternate payments system, according to The Verge.

In an attempt to make the video streaming service happy, Google "offered to take a significantly reduced revenue share percentage to Netflix", the complaint asserts.

Though there are few details in the lawsuit, it does indicate that Google went through the same growing pains as Apple with regards to Netflix, the report said.

In the case of Apple, documents in the Epic lawsuit revealed Apple attempted to negotiate with Netflix, including offering an Apple TV bundle, in-depth performance data, for Netflix to join a "video partner program", email promotions by Apple, and promotions within Apple Stores.

As per the report, it seems that attempts by Netflix to directly collect credit card details from Android users rather than using Google's payment system led to a "clarification" to developers requiring Play Store apps to use Google's transaction service.

The complaint offers more statements echoing Apple's lawsuit, with it claiming that the 30 per cent standard Play Store commission was high and could be feasibly reduced.

Quoting internal Google communications, the document says the Ply Store could break even with a fee of 6 per cent, and that its decision to charge 30 per cent has "no rationale, other than copying Apple".