01:14 PM EDT, 08/19/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Alphabet's (GOOG) (GOOGL) Google ( GOOG ) said Tuesday that it is updating its external offer program for the European Union to enable third-party developers to direct users outside of the Play Store application, including to promote offers for in-app purchases.

Bloomberg reported earlier Tuesday that Google's ( GOOG ) updates to its Play Store are intended to ward off future European Union penalties following a warning from regulators.

Google ( GOOG ) said the new update allows developers to direct users outside the Play Store to download their apps through their website. Developers will also be allowed to show links for purchasing digital items and subscriptions outside the Play Store, Google ( GOOG ) said.

Developers are required to pay Google ( GOOG ) a fee for Play Store-related transactions conducted outside the app, the company said, adding that the update service would include an initial acquisition fee of 3% and additional ongoing service fees.

"While we still have concerns that these changes could expose Android users to harmful content and make the app experience worse, we're updating our External Offers Program for the EU with revised fees and more options for Android developers, following DMA discussions with the European Commission," according to a statement from Google ( GOOG ) Senior Competition Counsel Clare Kelly provided to MT Newswires.

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