In order to avoid paying Google a 30% commission for digital content, Amazon has eliminated the ability to purchase Kindle e-books and other digital content from its Android shopping app.
According to a recent BBC report, Amazon has implemented the change in response to Google Play Store policies. The policy requires app developers with an annual turnover of more than $1 million to pay a 30% commission on all in-app purchases.
Amazon said users can still download and stream owned content through the app, but only make new purchases through the Amazon website or the Kindle app. Amazon previously took the same approach on Apple’s iOS platform to avoid Apple’s cut.
This is not the first time Amazon has stopped trading because of fees. Late last year, the company said it would stop accepting Visa credit cards in the UK, citing a “pretty staggering” increase in Visa’s transaction fees. Amazon, however, has not implemented the change, as the company struck a deal with Visa earlier this year.